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| Travelers at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center in Fairbanks learn about Alaska life. |
The summer of 2012 looks like it's possibly headed into being a breakaway year for many Alaskan businesses. Here's a brief look at some of the people we talked to in early July throughout the state...
Cooper Landing; "Our Busiest Year Ever"
Shirley Wilmoth, The Hutch Bed & Breakfast
"It's going great. It looks like it's going to be our busiest year ever. People tended to book early trying to get better rates on rental cars and airline tickets. We've noticed people are typically staying one to two days longer than they have in the last two years. Some people are here just to see Alaska; not every single person is here to fish. There are a lot more international travelers. It's a bargain. Quite honestly, what they're saying is now they've been around the state they're enjoying their time on the Peninsula. They're finding lots of things to do. Several people said they were up in Denali and absolutely loved it. And, we're not having problems with wildfires there and can see 'The Mountain'."
Tok: "They Managed To Fix The Road"
Madge Kelleyhouse, Manager, Mainstreet Visitor Center
"It washed out several places there. You couldn't go up the Alaska Highway. They couldn't go up the Klondike Loop. People were stranded at Watson Lake. We were quite slow then. We talked to quite a few people afterwards. It was about 4 days total. I believe a lot of people turned around and went back down. It really hurt our June numbers. June was definitely slower. It has picked up now. Around June 25th it started to pick up again. But that early June shutdown, that really got us! They managed to fix the road... "
Fairbanks: "Really Busy This Summer"
Cindy Schumaker, Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
"The landscaping is really coming onto its own. Locals are finding us, and realizing that we're a place that's great to visit, even when they're not hosting visiting friends and family. We have so many repeat families that come in with their children. The local attendance is up. And we seem really busy this summer. We fancy ourselves the visitors' first stop. People are coming here to plan their trip and get all the information they need -- to enjoy the rest of their stay. Visitors say, 'After seeing what there is to offer I want to come back again -- to learn more about your culture.' It's so wonderful when we read or hear people comment that we're meeting our mission."
Glennallen: "It's Going Well."
Tricia Fields, Owner, The Hub Gas Station
"I think it's going well. I think we're doing really well on gifts this year. The general feel is that we're busy."
"I think it's going well. I think we're doing really well on gifts this year. The general feel is that we're busy."
Anchorage: "People Are Starting To Travel Again..."
Katch Bacheller, Alaska Museum of Natural History
"Our summer is the best summer we've ever had! It's good! I think people are starting to travel again. I've never see so many tourists. A lot of people I've talked to are driving up the Alcan."