ALASKA'S NEWSPAPER

| Updated: 2:34 AM

Tourism Industry

Kodiak bear guides aim to give guests low-impact adventure

Brigid and Harry Dodge, owners of Kodiak Treks, pose with their dog, Reuben, on a beach near their lodge on Kodiak in 2008. Kodiak Treks has been recertified by Adventure Green Alaska, which offers Alaska's sole ecotourism certification program. The couple guide clients from June 1 through late September at their lodge on Aleut Island. The rest of the year, they travel to destinations around the world.

Harry and Brigid Dodge's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their business have won them several awards. This month, their business, Kodiak Treks, was recertified by Adventure Green Alaska, the sole Alaska organization offering a certification process for ecotourism.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

Worst-case scenario? What if a cruise ship founders in Alaska's Arctic

It's not a prime destination yet, but the Arctic is attracting more interest from cruise companies. And even though Alaska officials claim a Costa Concordia-type disaster is unlikely here, they are referring only to the state's popular Inland Passage routes. As Popular Mechanic points out, a cruise grounding in newly ice-free but still ice-cold waters off Arctic Alaska would likely be a huge rescue challenge.

Seafarers outraged that captain would jump ship

Seafaring tradition holds that the captain should be last to leave a sinking ship. But is it realistic to expect skippers -- only human after all -- to suppress their survival instinct amid the horror of a maritime disaster? To ask them to stare down death from the bridge, as the lights go out and the water rises, until everyone else has made it to safety?

Cruise disaster a 'wake-up call' for Alaska, says safety adviser

In a state that expects to see more than 400 cruise-ship sailings with nearly a million passengers this summer, it's difficult to look at the images of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster and not wonder: Could it happen in Alaska?

Seafarers outraged that captain would jump ship

As cruise ships get larger, are they any safer?

NEW YORK -- The grounding and capsizing of the Costa Concordia has raised questions about the safety of the ever-increasing size of cruise ships. But experts say that these new megaships have the latest safety and navigation technology and pose little risk to passengers despite their gargantuan bulk.

Alaska's attractions lure visitors even in winter

In the dead of winter, the air outside swings past zero on the Fahrenheit scale around the Anchorage area. Farther north around Fairbanks, it gets even colder. But none of this dissuades tourists who see this as a time to take in some of the attractions that have built Alaska's tourism reputation.

Visits to Alaska national parks up 2 percent in 2011

National parks in Alaska saw a 2 percent increase in visitors in 2011, according to preliminary figures.

INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS

Group changes name to 'Visit Anchorage'

After 36 years of bringing business to Anchorage, the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is now doing business as Visit Anchorage. The name change was announced Thursday during its December membership luncheon.

National labor board files lawsuit against Sheraton

The National Labor Relations Board has filed a lawsuit in federal court, accusing the Texas owners of the Sheraton Anchorage of unfair labor practices.

New scanners debut at Anchorage airport

The first full-body scanners to peek beneath Alaska air travelers' clothes are now in use at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, and unlike previous models used in the Lower 48, the new machines do not create a detailed picture of passengers.

Alaska airports to get scanners that don't show naked fliers

Ketchikan saw more air and cruise visitors in '11

A report commissioned by the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau said cruise and airline passenger traffic increased during the 2011 season.

'Gold Rush' TV show so far hasn't given tourism a boost

"Gold Rush," the reality mining show set in the Chilkat Valley's Porcupine mining district, won high ratings in its debut season on Discovery Channel last year, but has its success translated to a boost in the number of visitors here?

Marine highway updates available at 511

Alaska residents will be able to get real-time updates for most state ferries through the 511 system.

Japan Airlines adds winter trips to Fairbanks

Japan Airlines will double its flights to Fairbanks this winter to 18, which could mean another 1,300 visitors seeking a view of northern lights outside the interior Alaska city.

2 Alaska Airlines attendants get sick on Anchorage flight

Two Alaska Airlines flight attendants working in the rear galley became nauseated and short of breath midway through a flight from Portland to Anchorage Sunday night and were taken to the hospital after landing, but no one else reported symptoms and the two felt better by the time they landed, an airline spokesman said.

Bomb threat investigated on flight at Oakland airport

Meeting planners courted by ACVB

The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau says it's hosting meeting planners from 13 states and a Canadian province to present Alaska's largest city as a destination for meetings.

7 on grounded Alaska tour boat rescued

The Coast Guard says seven passengers on board a Southeast Alaska tour boat were rescued after the vessel went aground.

Cruise ship's wake rocks two boats, float dock

Two boats were swamped with water and a float dock was damaged by the wake of a cruise ship using more power in high winds to maneuver into Ketchikan's Casey Moran Harbor.

Tourism operators report modest increases for 2011

Tourism operators in Fairbanks say they've seen more business in 2011, but increases have been modest.

NANA Development opens new Kotzebue hotel

A subsidiary of the regional Native corporation for Northwest Alaska has opened a new hotel in Kotzebue.

Cruise ship plans vampire fest

A weeklong vampire convention on a cruise ship is planned for Southeast Alaska next summer.

Alaska lawmakers debate tax cut for oil companies

Alaska's economic future is on the line if more oil doesn't flow through the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline.

AG says BofA lawsuit gave Nevada leverage

Nevada used the leverage of a federal lawsuit it has pending against one large bank to reach a "side settlement" and gain a larger slice of a nationwide foreclosure settlement pie, state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Friday.

US urges for openness at Gulf oil spill trial

The federal government's lead lawyer in an upcoming trial over fault in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill urged judges on Friday to make public sensitive business documents and testimony.

Casey calls for hearing on loss of Pa. refineries

Sen. Bob Casey is calling for a legislative hearing to see how energy prices would be affected by the possible closure of three Philadelphia-area oil refineries.

Wisconsin to use part of settlement for budget

Wisconsin plans to use about $26 million of its $140 million share of a national mortgage settlement to help plug a state budget hole, a move that drew criticism from Milwaukee's mayor and Democratic state lawmakers.

Vampire-themed cruise planned for Southeast Alaska next summer

Cook Inlet marine risk assessment under way

Cruise lines traveling to Alaska say profits are climbing

Tour company works to lure visitors to tiny Ouzinkie

Judge dismisses lawsuit against union filed by hotel

Woman hurt after wave from glacier chunk hits boat

Park service examines ways to improve the Denali experience

Ultimate Tours levied fine of $1.5 million

Marine center's tours aimed at educating locals

Artists can sell at Hoonah facility

Alaska-bound cruises from Seattle will decline in 2011

NOAA swamped with requests for Arctic information

Norovirus outbreaks plague three cruises to Alaska

Damaged tour boat is cleared to return to service

Cruise ship hits fixed ice; some damage but hull not breached

Contagious shipboard illness reports called inconsistent

Korean Air returning to Alaska

Alaska Natives gain tourism foothold off beaten path

Bill would mandate tourism ad campaign

Alaska is considering options to airport pat-downs

Alaska tourism showcase proposed for Las Vegas Strip

Japan earthquake effects ripple through Alaska economy

Anchorage hotels rebound in 2010

Hotel, air, cruise ship tourism on the rise for Anchorage

New rules may separate tour ships from Alaska seals

Tourism promoters launch new TV ads

Awards to aid groups that promote tourism

Port foresees more cruise ships in 2011

Anchorage hotel room sales rebound from dismal 2009

Firm will operate Southeast cruises from Sitka

JetBlue announces service to Anchorage in summer 2011

Port reports its best season ever for cruise ship traffic, passengers

Princess Cruises adds fourth ship to sail schedule

Hotels rank first for consumer complaints

GCI helps pay costs to go to tourism show

Alaska tourism industry sees visitor increase this year

Cruise West: 65 layoffs, world cruise halted

Cruisewest begins restructuring, selling assets

Pioneering Alaska cruise line sold, new bookings suspended



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