On September 14 – 18, 2011, a delegation from Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism will visit Alaska to learn more about sustainability and certification from our very own Adventure Green Alaska (AGA). AGA is Alaska’s only certification program for sustainable tourism businesses and one of only two state-based programs of its kind in the nation. The study tour is being sponsored by the Department of Interior’s Office of International Affairs in Washington, DC. The Moroccans will meet AGA certified businesses, AGA board members, and National Park Service staff in Seward and Fairbanks. The ultimate goal of the visit is to help Morocco develop a more sustainable tourism industry. To learn more about AGA, go to www.adventuregreenalaska.org.

On September 15, 2011, Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) will recognize seven individuals and organizations from around the state for their remarkable achievements. This year’s winners are:

* Stacy Studebaker, Kodiak – Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions
* Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats, Palmer – Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Organization
* Maka Monture, Yakutat – Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists
* Daisy Lee Bitter, Holmer – Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education
* Robert H. Armstrong, Juneau – Daniel Hausberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Photography, Film, and Video
* Dorothy Childers, Anchorage – Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions
* Caleb Pungowiyi, Wasilla- Outstanding Achievement by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual

ACF will be honoring the achievement heroes at the Alaska Aviation Museum on Lake Hood in Anchorage . The evening will include a cocktail hour reception and dessert provided by award-winning chef, Al Levinsohn, of Bridge Catering (featuring local Alaska foods). The awards presentation will be hosted by Emmy award-winning producer and TV personality, and ACF Trustee, Doug McConnell.

Last April, Representatives Austerman, Chenault, Johnson, Stoltze, Thomas, Peggy Wilson, and Herron introduced House Bill 222, a bill that would establish a multi-industry Alaska promotion and marketing fund and repeal the laws that authorized the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s annual marketing contract with the state.

The new fund would be administered by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) in consultation with a newly-created “Alaska Promotion and Marketing Board.” It would be used to promote and market industries, including tourism, that broaden the economic base of the state and provide jobs and business opportunities for state residents. Subject to appropriations from the legislature, DCCED would make grants to private entities for projects that further the purpose of the fund. Grant recipients would be required to provide a 30% or 50% match depending upon whether they are from emerging or established industries.

When HB 222 was introduced, it was viewed largely as a conversation starter with little chance of being passed by the legislature. However, now that we no longer have a long-term tourism marketing program, see Big Changes in Alaska Tourism Marketing, HB 222 provides an obvious and needed context for discussing the promotion and marketing of tourism and other Alaska industries. Not surprisingly, there is renewed interest in HB 222 and Representative Austerman expects multiple hearings on the bill.

This one will definitely be worth watching when the legislature returns to Juneau in January.

One of the most significant results of last May’s special session of the legislature is that the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is no longer charged with planning and executing the state’s destination tourism marketing campaign. An amendment to the capital appropriation bill deleted the provision in the operating budget which would have funded ATIA and instead directed a $12 million capital appropriation to the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) for a destination marketing campaign.

As many of you know, ATIA has had a legislative monopoly on state marketing money for over ten years. This is a pretty sudden change and it will take some time for the dust to settle. In the short term, DCCED is seeking program continuity and may contract directly with ATIA contractors and service providers. The really interesting question is what will happen in the long term. Will the legislature create an official “department of tourism” or will marketing be handled by some form of quasi-governmental entity? Another possibility has been suggested by Representatives Austerman, Chenault, Johnson, Stoltze, Thomas, Peggy Wilson, and Herron who introduced a bill in April that would create a multi-industry Alaska Promotion and Marketing Board.

Whatever happens, you can be sure that AWRTA will be actively engaged and exploring ways to ensure that there is a greater emphasis on sustainability and attracting independent travelers to Alaska. Tourism marketing is an issue in which all of AWRTA’s members and supporters have an interest. If you have thoughts or suggestions on what the next marketing model should be, please send us an email at info@visitwildalaska.com. We’ll collect the comments and if there’s enough interest, create a committee to develop a “vision” for tourism marketing in Alaska.

In the spring of 2010, AWRTA members Brigid and Harry Dodge of Kodiak Treks were contacted by photographer Kim Hubbard and free lance journalist Ted O’Callahan about a trip to Kodiak Island. The couple arranged a June stay and spent three days with the Dodges at their Uyak Bay camp. This visit resulted in the following news article, which was featured in the travel section of the New York Times in May of 2011:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/travel/its-a-bears-world-in-kodiak-alaska.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Brigid eventually discovered it was through the Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) certification program that Ted found Kodiak Treks: searching online for ’sustainable travel,’ Ted came across the Adventure Green Alaska website and then Kodiak Treks, a gold-level certified business.

According to Brigid, the well researched article does a great job of capturing Kodiak Treks’ commitment to a minimal-impact approach to bear and wildlife-viewing. She feels it also lets readers know there are viable alternatives to larger, more commercial tourism programs in Alaska.

The article resulted in thousands of hits to the Kodiak Treks website in the first week alone–proof that the public’s appreciation for responsible travel programs remains strong. AGA, which was created by AWRTA, is aimed at assisting both travelers who wish to identify quality Alaska travel experiences and businesses who want to enhance their sustainable practices well into the future.

For more information about AGA, go to www.adventuregreenalaska.org.

AWRTA is pleased to announce that it has appointed Cathy Hart for a second term as its representative on the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). 
 
New members may not be aware that AWRTA represents regional tourism interests on PWSRCAC, which was created after the Exxon Valdez oil spill by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.  PWSRCAC is a non-profit industry “watch dog” that is committed to promoting environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska Pipeline marine terminal in Valdez and the oil tankers that use it. 

Among other activities, PWSRCAC comments on and participates in monitoring and assessing the environmental, social, and economic consequences of oil transportation activities, including oil spill prevention and and response plans and the actual and potential environmental impacts of terminal and tanker operations.  The advisory committee is made up of representatives from 19 organizations. 

Cathy Hart is a long-time member and supporter of AWRTA.  She is an Anchorage-based freelance tourism professional.   Cathy is retired from the Alaska Marine Highway where she spent 32 years serving local, commercial, military, group tour, and tourism customers.  She is an avid sea kayaker, rafter, skier, and photographer and lives in Anchorage with her husband, Eric Downey, and their two dogs, Sunny and Niki.  Cathy has represented AWRTA on PWSRCAC since 2008.

Dear AWRTA Members and Supporters:

We are writing to thank you for your interest in Tourism and Mining:  Opportunities and Risks for Bristol Bay.  Unfortunately, mid May is a very busy time for many of our business members and the organizers have made the difficult decision to cancel the conference–at least for now.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.    

On the positive side, the conference theme has generated a lot of good discussion both within the tourism industry and among other industry groups.  Over the course of the next several months we hope to continue the dialogue and perhaps focus this interest in an event this fall when schedules are a little more open.

Thank you for your support and please contact the AWRTA board with any suggestions or thoughts you might have with respect to the future of tourism and mining in Bristol Bay.

For those of you who have already registered, your registration fee will be automatically refunded via PayPal.  

AWRTA Board of Directors

In April, the Alaska Division of Economic Development will conduct a “train-the-trainer” workshop for people interested in using the Alaska Tour Guide Training Program (ATGT) curriculum to train new or returning guides within their company, community, or organization. 

The ATGT course curriculum provides instruction on the following topics:  elements of a successful trip, different learning styles of clients and guests, Alaska’s visitors and their expectations, the art of interpretation or telling a story, principles and techniques for responding when trips don’t go as planned, and more. 

• Anchorage:  April 14 & 15 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 16 – 9 am to noon.  BP Energy Center, 900 East Benson Boulevard            
• Juneau:  April 21 & 22 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 23 – 9 am to noon.  AK Dept. of Education, 801 West 10th – corner of 10th and Glacier
• Fairbanks:  April 28 & 29 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 30 - 9 am to noon.  Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center - 101 Dunkel Street 

For more information or to register, contact Odin Brudie at odin.brudie@alaska.gov, 907 465-5466, or Dru Garson at dru.garson@alaska.gov, 907 465-2162.

On March 24th, AWRTA member, Dennis Swiderski of Orca Island Cabins, testified before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee in support of Senate Bill 32.  S.B. 32 would lower costs for businesses by providing low-interest loans for efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects and appropriate $10 million to the revolving loan fund.  In recent years, Alaska has taken big steps in energy efficiency by rapidly expanding state programs for residential and public buildings.  However, there is currently minimal state assistance for businesses and non-profits. 

Dennis testified as an Alaska business owner who already uses renewable energy and hopes to expand that use.  Orca Island Cabins offers beautiful, eco-friendly yurts in Humpy Cove southeast of Seward and has recieved a gold-level certification from Adventure Green Alaska.  Electricity at the yurts is provided by solar power which, among other things, is used to power the water pumps and the fans which vent the compost toilets.  Dennis urged the legislature to pass S.B. 32 and provide small busineses with the resources to utilize alternative energy in Alaska.     

For more information about S.B. 32, contact Dave Theriault, Alaska Conservation Alliance, at 723-9944.  To learn more about Orca Island Cabins, go to www.orcaislandcabins.com.

We are sometimes surprised when people ask us why they should join AWRTA. There are actually a lot of good reasons. Unfortunately, we seem to be better at marketing AWRTA members than marketing AWRTA itself. Several of AWRTA’s recent accomplishments include the development of our new consumer-oriented website, http://www.visitwildalaska.com.  Designed for Alaska-bound travelers looking for operators who incorporate sustainability into their business model, Visit Wild Alaska features small and medium-sized, independent businesses that give back to their local communities and represent the future of Alaska tourism. Check out Visit Wild Alaska. You’ll find that it provides unparalleled value in a user-friendly, innovative package.

“We’re very excited about AWRTA’s visitwildalaska.com website and the initial web stats have been very favorable. From my observations and from the research I’ve seen, prospects are voting with their dollars and they more and more select trip options from companies that are environmentally responsible. The new website with its ability to highlight the Adventure Green Alaska certification program is well positioned to satisfy the growing numbers of visitors who are looking for authentic Alaska adventures and also desire to feel good about the companies they choose.”

Kirk Hoessle
Alaska Wildland Adventures

AWRTA also spearheaded the creation of Adventure Green Alaska (AGA), the only green certification program for tourism businesses operating in Alaska and one of the few programs of its kind in the country. AGA, now an independent nonprofit corporation, recognizes and rewards businesses that meet standards of economic, social, and environmental sustainability. For more information about AGA, go to http://www.adventuregreenalaska.org.

“Our Silver level certification with Adventure Green Alaska has been effective on so many fronts. Not only is it an honor to be included as a member of Alaska’s first and only sustainable tourism certification program, it has also given us a vehicle to constantly improve our business practices and to learn from the true leaders in the field. Not only that, in follow-up surveys, 74% of our guests said that the AGA certification was a factor in their decision to choose Alaska Alpine Adventures. To say that AGA is helping raise the bar of Alaska’s tourism industry is an understatement.”

Dan Oberlatz
Alaska Alpine Adventures

Of course, AWRTA continues to be an active and effective voice for the tourism industry in the many conservation issues facing Alaska. AWRTA and its co-plaintiffs recently won a major lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service, challenging Bush-era policies in the Tongass National Forest that favored logging and road-building over tourism, commercial fishing, and subsistence. For the full story, go to http://www.visitwildalaska.com/whats_new/?p=52.

There are many benefits to being an AWRTA member. Here are some of the things we can do for your business:

• Provide a connection to the Alaska wilderness travel community
• Create a powerful on-line presence for your company, one that includes a description of your business and trips, hyper links, images, and specials
• Help you generate buzz and recruit new clients
• Link your Facebook fan page (don’t have one—you should!) to our growing fan base
• Help you demonstrate your support for sustainable tourism in Alaska to past and future clients
• Give you access to the quarterly Visit Wild Alaska eNews with tips and tricks on marketing, sustainability, social networking, client satisfaction, risk management, and more

Membership in AWRTA provides the tools, assistance, and camaraderie to make your business more successful, sustainable, and profitable.

To become a member, go to http://www.visitwildalaska.com/Benefits_Rates.