Tourism Industry

Kodiak bear guides aim to give guests low-impact adventure

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

Photos: Cruise ship grounding

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.

Photos: Full-body scanners demonstrated

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.