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| The first "Outside" overland tourists in Alaska came over glaciers during the Gold Rush, hauling everything they could carry on their backs. |
Everything changes -- except for Alaska's enormous drawing power. Here's a quick look at the types of tourists who have come to Alaska over the years, and how they got here...
Whaling Days -- The First Cruise Ships
Wives, daughters and children of captains and officers all came north on whaling ships. While on board, the ladies had tea parties and served crumpets. They were the first cruise tourists.
Gold Rush -- The First Roadside Travelers
During the gold rush of the 1890's, miners hauled huge loads of beans and flour up the trails. Some of them stopped in their tracks and opened tent and log "roadhouses." The people who kept on trudging by and who stayed overnight were the first road tourists.
Big Game -- The Hunters
By the late 1940's, the typical Alaska tourist was a hunter or fisherman. There was often only one reason you came to Alaska: Big Game.
The Open Road -- See The USA in Your Camper
In the early 1950's, better roads, better cars, and a better economy led to over three decades of a new kind of tourist. The road warrior. This traveler came up the Alaska Highway with his wife in a camper or motor home and stayed for up to four months. These tourists left an impact, and helped create the road-based tourist infrastructure in Alaska.
Bus Tours -- Leave the Driving to Us
In the 1980's, "land cruises," led by Westmark, were big in Alaska. Buses would travel the state. Japanese and Korean visitors found Alaska to be in vogue, too.
Air Travel -- The Two Week Vacation
The Winnebago crowd grew older. Life became more complex. There were kids, elderly parents, and grandchildren to care for, jobs to juggle, and more responsibilities for everybody. Vacation time grew shorter. Simultaneously, you could get to Alaska by flying nonstop. Starting in the late 1980's, the typical independent traveler now files into Anchorage, and rents a motor home or car.
Cruises -- Let Somebody Else Do It
Some people are afraid of independent travel. They want to be directed on what to do, where to go, what time to get up, what time to go to bed, what to eat -- and when to go back home. For these travelers, the cruise ship, with its pre-planned schedules, luxurious digs, and fancy meals has been the ticket. The cruise ship has been in its heyday for at least 10 years. There will be fewer passengers this summer. Cruise ships have peaked at a million tourists a year, leading the market to become competitive and oversaturated with ships.
Independent Travelers Looking For Alaska
A growing segment of the market has an interest in seeing Alaska's parks, wildlife, and lifestyle. These travelers are bringing their children and grandchildren on a discovery trip -- part adventure, part education. Tune up your business to satisfy them -- and you'll have a successful summer.