Travel officials expect an off year this tourism season

The outlook for summer tourism is grim, with fewer cruise ships hitting Alaska ports this year. Travelers that do arrive are more likely to spend their money on T-shirts and Eskimo yo-yos than on helicopter tours or other high-end excursions, industry officials say.

Parnell to attend Miami cruise fair

A spokeswoman for Gov. Sean Parnell confirms he will attend a cruise ship trade show in Miami this week.

Group calls for tourist boycott over wolf decision

An animal rights group is calling for a tourism boycott of Alaska over a recent decision to remove buffer zones for wolf trapping near Denali National Park.

Anchorage Airport train depot echoes silence

The Alaska Railroad depot at Anchorage's international airport, open for business since 2003, was envisioned as a bright and busy way station for travelers, among them rail commuters from the Valley and cruise ship passengers heading to or from the airport.

Audio slide show: Train depot at Anchorage Airport

Delay in filing audits spells delay of grant for tourism group

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Dave Carey is withholding a $300,000 grant to a tourism group until it complies with its contract.

Airlines boost flights to Alaska this summer

An unexpected surge in new commercial flights scheduled for Alaska this summer may trigger competition among airlines and cheaper tickets to some major Lower 48 cities, travel experts say.

Governor wants state to intervene in Tongass cases

Gov. Sean Parnell said the state will try to intervene in two cases affecting Southeast Alaska timber.

Legislators want scientist back on wastewater panel

Six Democratic lawmakers want Gov. Sean Parnell to reinstate a scientist and clean-water advocate who was recently ousted from an advisory council on cruise ship wastewater discharge.

Recession takes toll on tourism

Ketchikan tourism officials say the nation's economic woes apparently had an effect on the local visitors industry.

Japan Airlines cuts winter flights to Fairbanks by half

Japan's largest air carrier has cut half of its flights to Fairbanks this winter. Japan Airlines will have nine direct flights from Tokyo to Fairbanks, down from 18 last year.

2 more cruise ships to be pulled from Alaska waters in 2011

With Alaska already facing big cuts in cruise-ship visits next summer, the state's two largest operators announced plans Wednesday to remove even more ships in 2011. The announcement revived debate over state tourism taxes and regulations.

Parnell orders state flags flown at half-staff for tourism pioneer

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell has ordered that state flags be lowered in honor of Brad Phillips, a tourism pioneer and former state senator.

Brad Phillips, booster of Alaska tourism, dead in Seattle at 84

Brad Phillips, a founding father of Southcentral Alaska's tourism industry and former owner of Phillips Cruises, died Monday in Seattle.

Court upholds 1 halibut a day on Southeast charter boats

Halibut charter operators lost an attempt Monday to rid themselves of the one-fish-a-day rule, which they say is putting them out of business in Southeast Alaska.

Begich, Boggs center to open on weekends

After being shuttered all winter the last two years, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in Portage Valley will be open weekends this season until its summer season begins May 23.

Cruise passenger tax clearly legal, Alaska AG says

Alaska has a strong case to defend itself in the cruise ship industry's lawsuit on a passenger tax, according to the state attorney general.

Polar bear tourism is growing on Alaska's North Slope

We took a turn as the latest clients in Kaktovik's fledgling effort at locally led polar bear tourism. From the sound of it, business is picking up. Warbelow's Air Ventures has been flying tourists in, and other tour operators are starting to send clients as well.

Small-ship cruise line targets 2011 launch

A new small-ship cruise line will start weeklong voyages between Ketchikan and Juneau in 2011.

Alaska cruise passenger count down slightly this summer

Cruise companies saw a slight decrease in Alaska passengers through August, according to the state Revenue Department. But ships carried more passengers than two years ago, despite the national recession.

Cruise ship pollution rules have some Alaskans fretting

Some Alaska ports of call along with Gov. Sean Parnell have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rethink -- or at least slow down -- its plans to impose stricter air-quality requirements for cruise ships and other large oceangoing vessels.

Governor supports tour tax credit

Gov. Sean Parnell said he will support corporate income tax credits for cruise ship companies that contribute to Alaska tourism marketing.