Every June, when we go to Tok, we ask how things are going at the Tok Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, the Tok Lands Information Center, and various businesses. We've been to Tok twice now this spring, the first time to set up our stands, and last week because they were running out of our guides.
Surprisingly, the scene in Tok seems good. Every year there are winter worries. Last year, the high price of gas was on everyone's mind. And this year, the economy, travel decisions, and new passport regulations for traveling through Canada had everybody concerned.
There have been rumors that numbers are dropping at the border. But, if you've heard them, they probably are just rumors, because new security regulations forbid the casual release of that information.
Here's a brief look at what the two Tok visitor centers said last week:
"We've Started Picking Up"
"We've started picking up. Gas prices were really high last summer, and we did pretty good then. I wouldn't say we're too far down this year. They've had no problems (with the new passport requirements.)"
- Tracy Rush, Tok Public Lands Center
"They're Here"
"We noticed the traffic picked up a week ago. We've had a few nights where the motels are all full. That usually doesn't happen until July. It's not as bad as people thought it would be. They're here. They always pick up at the same time period.."
- Madge Kelleyhouse, Tok Chamber of Commerce
Surprisingly, the scene in Tok seems good. Every year there are winter worries. Last year, the high price of gas was on everyone's mind. And this year, the economy, travel decisions, and new passport regulations for traveling through Canada had everybody concerned.
There have been rumors that numbers are dropping at the border. But, if you've heard them, they probably are just rumors, because new security regulations forbid the casual release of that information.
Here's a brief look at what the two Tok visitor centers said last week:
"We've Started Picking Up"
"We've started picking up. Gas prices were really high last summer, and we did pretty good then. I wouldn't say we're too far down this year. They've had no problems (with the new passport requirements.)"
- Tracy Rush, Tok Public Lands Center
"They're Here"
"We noticed the traffic picked up a week ago. We've had a few nights where the motels are all full. That usually doesn't happen until July. It's not as bad as people thought it would be. They're here. They always pick up at the same time period.."
- Madge Kelleyhouse, Tok Chamber of Commerce