1. Cruising into 2016 with Alaska tourism on the rise
2. Spring into fun-filled, snowy activities statewide
3. Take a culinary tour with chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon

Social Media Spotlight

 

           

 

It’s never too soon to start planning a dream vacation to Alaska and the updated Travel Alaska App is the perfect pocket-sized resource. The trip planning features on the app provide travelers with city guides, visitor centers, government resources, meeting and event planners, travel agents and videos. Download the app today at the App Store or get it on Google Play (http://bit.ly/1TN4NSU), (http://bit.ly/1hriza3).

 

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development’s Visitor Statistics Program released its Interim Visitor Volume Report (http://1.usa.gov/1T4FUSP) revealing that summer 2015 saw 1.78 million out-of-state visitors between May and September 2015, a volume increase of 7 percent from 2014. The majority of visitors were cruise ship passengers and account for 3 percent of the volume increase. The 2016 travel and cruise forecast is also expected to make a strong return with 30 large cruise ships scheduled to call in Alaska carrying a projected one million visitors. Cruise operators are gearing up for the summer with new ships, docks, excursions and much more.

New ships scheduled for the 2016 season include: Crystal Serenity, Explorer of the Seas, Island Princess, Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Seven Seas Mariner. Ships leaving Alaska include: Oosterdam, Pacific Princess, Jewel of the Seas, Statendam and 7 Seas Navigator. Additionally, Le Soleal will be taking visitors to new ports such as Barrow, Elfin Cove, Endicott Arm, Alert Bay, Petersburg, Misty Fjords and Icy Bay. This summer, cruisers can also enjoy two new cruise ship docks: the floating dock at Icy Strait Point and Juneau’s first of two new Panamax docks, capable of handling a 1,000-foot ship.
 
Visitors interested in cruising in Alaska should be sure to check out these new offerings:

• Alaskan Dream Cruises is launching a new ship in June 2016, offering passengers personalized adventures. Cruisers can enjoy three cruise itineraries ranging from 8-, 9- and 11-day excursions such as Alaska’s Glacier Bay & Island Adventure, Alaska’s Inside Passage Sojourn and Alaska’s Southeast Explorer (www.alaskandreamcruises.com).
• Princess Cruises will be sailing six ships to Alaska this summer featuring 106 departures from Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver and Whittier with 15 unique ports and destinations. The 2016 season is open for booking with cruising opportunities such as the Voyage of the Glaciers, Inside Passage and many more (http://www.princess.com/).
• Crystal's new 32-day Northwest Passage voyage travels from Anchorage to New York City with ports of call including Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Nome before continuing to Canada, Greenland and New York City (http://bit.ly/CrystalNorthwestPassage).

Media Contact:
Contact: Jennifer Thompson, Thompson & Co. Public Relations
Email: alaskatravelmedia@thompsonpr.com
Phone: (800) 327-9372
Facebook: Alaska Travel News
Twitter: @alaskatravlnews
URL: TravelAlaska.com

Each season in Alaska brings a unique array of events and activities and spring is no exception. Visitors can take advantage of the growing daylight and lingering snow with more travel opportunities this spring.
 
• Catch all the fun and excitement of the 2016 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, beginning March 5 in downtown Anchorage for the ceremonial start. Meet up with the mushers in Willow for the restart the following day as they journey 1,000 miles over Alaska’s harshest terrain to Nome to cross the finish line under the famed burled arch (http://iditarod.com).           
 
• From Feb. 29 – March 27, watch as larger-than-life blocks of ice are transformed into works of art at the 2016 BP World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks. The BP World Ice Art Championships is the largest ice sculpting competition in the world, where more than 70 teams from around the world compete in events such as the multi-block classic, featuring sculptures weighing as much as 20 tons and reaching up to 25-feet tall (http://www.icealaska.com).           
 
• The Alaska Railroad has expanded its midweek winter train service, allowing for passengers to travel at their leisure and catch all of the events between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Ride the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train, travelling northbound on Tuesdays and Saturdays and southbound Wednesdays and Sundays. (https://www.alaskarailroad.com).           
 
• On April 2, 2016, the Log Cabin Ski Society will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Buckwheat Ski Classic XXX ‘Ski Wars: May the Wax be with You’, a cross-country ski race featuring 50K, 25K and 10K adult races and a 5K race for kids. The race takes place along the Log Cabin Ski Trails north of Skagway. The event also features a themed starting line and aid station by the award-winning Team Alaska snow sculptors. (http://buckwheatskiclassic.com).           

Media Contact:
Contact: Jennifer Thompson, Thompson & Co. Public Relations
Email: alaskatravelmedia@thompsonpr.com
Phone: (800) 327-9372
Facebook: Alaska Travel News
Twitter: @alaskatravlnews
Instagram: @travelalaska
URL: Travel Alaska Events
 

Join award-winning chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon for a culinary-specific package amidst the breathtaking setting of Homer and Tutka Bay Lodge. Dive into the culinary history and technique of Alaska cuisine, forage for wild edibles and visit the renowned Kachemak Bay oyster farm. The package includes transportation to and from Homer, all lodging, amenities, cooking classes at Tutka Bay Lodge and a Tutka Bay Lodge cookbook. The cooking school is held on the Widgeon II, a historic, re-purposed crabbing boat originating from the World War II era. In addition to the culinary package offered, visitors and locals alike can also partake in weekend cooking classes or even book private cooking classes for groups at the lodge.
 
Tutka Bay Lodge, part of the Within the Wild Adventure Company, is a short boat ride from the shores of Homer across Kachemak Bay to the entrance of a seven-mile long fjord. Within the Wild is a family-run operation in Alaska’s backcountry where the mother-daughter culinary team of chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon showcase their culinary expertise and passion for Alaska cuisine.

Media Contact:
Contact: Kirsten Dixon, Within the Wild Adventure Company
Email: Kirsten@withinthewild.com
Phone: 907-274-2710
Facebook: Within the Wild Adventure Lodges
Twitter: @withinthewild
Instagram: @withinthewild
URL: http://withinthewild.com