How's Alaska Tourism? Depends on Who You Ask

With fuel prices nagging at pocketbooks, one wonders just how well Alaska tourism will do this year. It depends on who you ask:

In Anchorage, his Airstream trailer packing a sign reading, "Alaska or Bust," Californian Jim Fowler says he hasn't hit bust yet, but, "“It’s getting closer every day, though." After 5,000 miles towing his rig, he's paid $2,300 in diesel costs. Still, Jim and his wife say they're traveling within their limitations.

The Fowlers are the kinds of folks that make RV park owners in the far north keep up an optomistic front. Nevertheless, it's a waiting game. “Everybody is concerned about the high fuel costs,” said Dwight Dietrich, owner of Grand View Lodge & RV Park, Palmer, Alaska, and vice chairman of the Alaska Campground Owners Association (ACOA). “We don’t know (what will happen); we will have to go day by day. How do you project something like that? It’s out of our control who will get these prices back down.”

Quoted in a story in RV Business, Dietrich puts a face on the non-tourists, but those who are nevertheless affected by what the tourists do--or don't do. Alaska's Travel Industry Association just hopes things will do a break-even. “I’m concerned. If we are flat overall [in visitor numbers], I would be pleased,” said association president Ron Peck. “I hope we reach the same level as last year. If I’m wrong and we get above that, I’ll be tickled pink. But I would not bet my next born child that we are going to have an increase in visitors.” Peck was interviewed by newsminer.com.

While some tourism prognosticators see progress made with the "fly-in" sets from Europe, gold mining from RVers may be a different story. From newsminer comes this: Also down are campground bookings, if two RV parks owned by Scott Reisland in Denali National Park and Preserve are any indication. Bookings of caravans — groups of RVs traveling together — are down 50 percent and there have been a lot of cancellations, Reisland said.

And what about fuel prices? "The news here in Alaska has been that our gas prices have reached the highest in the nation, at an average of $4 a gallon,” said Dave Worrell, director of marketing and communications for the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). “In remote areas, where they have to fly in the fuel, it’s $7 and $8 a gallon. In Anchorage, we’re paying $3.80, so the average doesn’t speak to it.”

Here's a thought: Fly into Alaska and rent an RV. An Ancorage rental firm, ABC Motorhome Rentals, is offering up to $250 in fuel credits to encourage their trade. Last year they reported 3,400 rentals and projects they'll have as many this year.

Photo: Carl Chapman on flickr.com