Alaska and Tourism: A Marriage Made in Heaven: Increasing visitor demand boosts package tour sales.

AuthorOrr, Vanessa
PositionTOURISM

For many people, a trip to Alaska is a dream come true. They want to see and do everything from watching whales breech in Southeast waters and riding ATVs along Southcentral trails to learning about mining history and searching out the Aurora in Fairbanks. What visitors often don't realize is just how large Alaska is and the logistics required to navigate the state--which is why for some travelers a package tour is just the ticket.

"I was born and raised in Alaska and it's big," laughs Ralph Samuels, vice president of government and community relations-Alaska for Holland America Group. "I've been here fifty-six years and have had the opportunity to see a lot of the state, and I can tell you that it's not always easy to get around.

"You can fly to Anchorage, rent a car, get a hotel and go, but there's a real hassle factor when you're traveling on your own," he adds. "A tour package can let you see a lot of different things at reasonable prices, and you can pick and choose what you want to do."

On and Off the Water

Holland America Line and Princess Cruises offer excursions on Alaska's waterways as well as transportation into Southeast and the Interior, where guests can choose from a wealth of activities. On a day trip to Southeast, for example, cruise passengers can go ATV riding, visit a brewery, attend a logging show in Ketchikan, or take a zip line ride.

"Guests on our cruises that cross the Gulf to Seward or Whittier can purchase a cruise tour to Denali and Talkeetna and travel aboard one of our own glass-domed railcars pulled by an Alaska Railroad locomotive," says Samuels. "As part of the land portion of their vacation, they can enjoy a jet boat experience, horseback riding, ATV riding, and flight-seeing to Denali, as well as river rafting, dogsled rides, and more.

"In Fairbanks, they can ride on the Riverboat Discovery or learn more about Gold Dredge #8 and the mining industry," he adds. "These are all fantastic tours on their own, whether part of a package we provide or not."

The majority of Holland America/Princess Cruises' tour business comes from cruise passengers, with the rest being made up of people who have taken a cruise before and decided that they want to come back to see Alaska in a different way. The company provides vacation options for those who only want a cruise, for visitors looking for a cruise and land tour combined, and land-only vacation packages.

"There are so many different aspects to Alaska: in Southeast, for example, you can spend...

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