Visitor volume slides: interest in Alaska remains high.

• Author: Davidson, Paul
• Position: ALASKA TRENDS - Northern Economics Inc. - Statistical data

Alaska has long enjoyed a romantic allure that has benefited its economy though visitors and new residents. Between 2002 and 2011 the Alaskan population shows robust growth of 12.45 percent, 4.19 percentage points greater than the United States as a whole during that period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Visitor research, including visitor volume between 2002 and 2011, is recorded for the state by the McDowell Group and Northern Economics Inc. Summer visitor volume shows 22.1 percent growth from 2002 to 2011. Juneau, Ketchikan and Anchorage, in that order, are the most visited places in Alaska for 2011.

Recent Alaska visitor volume saw a peak in the summer of 2007 with 1.71 million visitors and a decline by 2011 of 9.18 percent to 1.56 million visitors. This decline coincides and could be associated with the U.S. economic problems beginning in 2008 and increased fuel prices.

People love Alaska. While visitor volume has declined since 2007, interest in Alaska has not. The number of reality TV shows increased from one in 2007 to six in 2010. Visitor Volume has increased from 2010 to 2011 and may continue to do so this year, according to the State of Alaska Office of Tourism Development.

Source: State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: labor.alaska.gov/research

Indicator Units GENERAL Personal Income--Alaska US$ Personal Income--United States US$ Consumer Prices--Anchorage 1982-1984=100 Consumer Prices--United States 1982-1984=100 Bankruptcies Alaska Total Number Filed Anchorage Total Number Filed Fairbanks Total Number Filed EMPLOYMENT Alaska Thousands Anchorage & Mat-Su Thousands Fairbanks Thousands Southeast Thousands Gulf Coast Thousands Sectorial Distribution--Alaska Total Nonfarm Thousands Goods Producing Thousands Services Providing Thousands Mining and Logging Thousands Mining Thousands Oil & Gas Thousands Construction Thousands Manufacturing Thousands Seafood Processing Thousands Trade/Transportation/Utilities Thousands Wholesale Trade Thousands Retail Trade Thousands Food & Beverage Stores Thousands General Merchandise Stores Thousands Trans/Warehouse/Utilities Thousands Air Transportation Thousands Truck Transportation Thousands Information Thousands Telecommunications Thousands Financial Activities Thousands Professional & Business Services Thousands Educational &Health Services Thousands Health Care Thousands Leisure &Hospitality Thousands Accommodation Thousands Food Services & Drinking Places Thousands Other Services Thousands Government Thousands Federal Government Thousands State Government Thousands State Education Thousands Local Government Thousands Local Education Thousands Tribal Government Thousands Labor Force...