VACATION AT HOME.

• Author: SAUNDERS, STACEY
• Position: Alaskans

As state organizations rise to the challenges of marketing Alaska, state convention and vistors bureaus are findings ways to boost local econmies and at the same time give Alaskans what they want and need--a well-deserved break.

Studies show that Alaskans, like the rest of Americans, have less leisure time and opt to substitute long weekends for longer vacations. This more-work, less-playtime phenomenon challenges the state's third largest industry, tourism.

The Alaska Visitors Association's 1998 Comprehensive Overview of Alaska's Visitor Industry states that seven out of 10 Alaskans view tourism as essential to their local economy because it provides local jobs and supports year-round local businesses.

While statewide associations and agencies track non-resident visitors, regional and local convention and visitor's bureaus recognize that Alaskans enjoy the state's numerous recreational and cultural opportunities and share it with their visiting friends and relatives. Offering weekend getaway packages and informing Alaskans about vacation opportunities closer to home, the in-state vacation industry may perform a dual service for both local economies and leisure time-challenged residents.

Mat-Su

The Mat-Su Convention and Visitor's Bureau published in 1999 an impact study focused on Alaska resident-visitors. One half of Alaskans visit Palmer and Wasilla, with Big Lake being the third most visited community in the Mat-Su area. "I was very surprised to see that Alaskans make 10 trips per season in the winter and six trips in spring and summer. That's a very active group," says Julie Saupe, MSCVB's executive director. "But they tend to stick to one hobby like snowboarding and snow-machining in winter or fishing in the summer," she explained. Other activities abound in the Mat-Su Valley such as hiking, horseback riding, camping, flightseeing and museums. The Musk Ox farm is popular with local and out-of-town visitors.

MSCVB members plan to actively promote weekend getaway packages for residents. Within an area the size of West Virginia, Mat-Su serves a banquet of active and more leisurely pursuits. Some Valley bed and breakfasts, resorts and campgrounds provide the best places to view sunsets over Mount McKinley. MSCVB's Web site maps suggested scenic driving routes for bird and wildlife watching, picnics, hikes and gold-panning. An on-line Mat-Su Agricultural Touring itinerary guides residents to fresh farm produce, gardens, musk oxen, reindeer...