Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Travel Trends: Cruising in Alaska is up, so why are people angry?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/23/travel-trends-alaska-in-the-wake-of-the-cruise-industry/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/23/travel-trends-alaska-in-the-wake-of-the-cruise-industry/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/23/travel-trends-alaska-in-the-wake-of-the-cruise-industry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Alaska: The "Last Frontier."

It's a trip of a lifetime for many of us. We imagine towering snow covered peaks with flowing glaciers draping down their sides, eagles soaring overhead while brown bears pluck spawning salmon from wild rivers right in front of our camera lenses. In short, we dream of a pure untouched landscape straight from a lost primordial world. And in truth, this beauty and peace is just what most visitors to Alaska find.

Within the state, however, there has been a battle raging. Statewide tourism has seen a steady and substantial increase in the last decade. The recently published Alaska Visitor Statistics Program Report (opens in PDF) sponsored by Alaska's Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) shows a 25% increase in total visitors to the state between 2001 and 2008. The same report documents a nearly 30% increase in visitation via cruise ship travelers (Fig.1 "Total Visitors to Alaska Vs. Those Visiting via Cruise Ship Tour"). And there-in lies the seeds of debate.

Why?

This level of growth has come at the expense of other forms of travel.

Continue reading Travel Trends: Cruising in Alaska is up, so why are people angry?

Travel Trends: Cruising in Alaska is up, so why are people angry? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activismalaskacruisecruiseshipscruisingcrusie shipsCrusieShipsenvironmentlegislationtravel trendsTravelTrendsFri, 23 Apr 2010 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Play the roadside attraction game - Road trip tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/15/road-trip-tip-play-the-roadside-attraction-game/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/15/road-trip-tip-play-the-roadside-attraction-game/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/15/road-trip-tip-play-the-roadside-attraction-game/#commentsWe live in Alaska, but half our family lives in Montana, so visiting means one long road trip. To keep ourselves entertained, we play a road-side attraction game. Here's how it works:

  1. plan each day's drive to allow for at least one long break;
  2. assign each member of the family a day during which they get to pick the roadside attraction we stop at during the break;
  3. at the end of the trip the family member that chose the best attraction, as voted on by everybody, get's a prize!
This is a fun way to explore your surroundings and play a game at the same time.

Play the roadside attraction game - Road trip tip originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLessalaskadrivinggamesfamilyfunroad tripsroadtripRoadTripsMon, 15 Feb 2010 01:54:00 EST