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Nature-Based Tourism in Southeast Alaska: Results from 2005 and 2006 Field Study

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Nature-Based Tourism in Southeast Alaska: Results from 2005 and 2006 Field Study Nature-Based Tourism in Southeast Alaska: Results from 2005 and 2006 Field Study by Darcy Dugan Ginny Fay Steve Colt Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage and Eco-Systems Contact: Steve Colt 907-786-1753 [email protected] or contact: [email protected] 907-333-3568 20 March 2007 Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge all the businesses and their employees who patiently spent time with us and provided information on their business. A few individuals deserve special thanks for making extra efforts to ensure that our data accurately represent the industry. Some of these exceptional people include Case Harris, Angela Filler, Davey Lubin, Rachel Fredholm, Jane Button, and Chris Conder. A number of companies took us on excursions to gain a better understanding of nature-based tourism activities. These companies include the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, Alaska Zipline Adventures, Alaska’s South East Excursions, Ester G. Sea Taxi, Goldbelt Tours, the Hobbit Hole, Icy Strait Point Development Corporation, Light Island Ventures, Orca Enterprises, Promech Air, Sitka Bike and Hike, Sitka Raptor Center, Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures, Southeast Exposure, and Temsco Helicopters. We were also shown aboard several charter yachts including Alaska on the Homeshore, the Sea Mist, the Alaska Story, the sailboat Bob, and True Blue. Funding for this work was provided by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, The University of Alaska GINA Project, and The Wilderness Society. ISER Nature-based Tourism 31 October 2006 Table of Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction................................................................................................................................. 9 2. Methods..................................................................................................................................... 10 3. Ketchikan .................................................................................................................................. 12 Flightseeing: Misty Fjords and Bear Viewing...................................................................... 13 Marine Charters .................................................................................................................... 13 Adventure.............................................................................................................................. 14 Sightseeing............................................................................................................................ 15 4. Juneau ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Cruise Industry...................................................................................................................... 16 Flightseeing........................................................................................................................... 16 City Tours ............................................................................................................................. 17 Adventure.............................................................................................................................. 19 Marine Charters .................................................................................................................... 19 Tracy Arm............................................................................................................................. 22 Pack Creek Bear Viewing..................................................................................................... 23 Hunting ................................................................................................................................. 24 Unguided Independent Travelers.......................................................................................... 24 Juneau Data Caveats ............................................................................................................. 26 5. Sitka .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Cruise Industry...................................................................................................................... 28 Adventure.............................................................................................................................. 28 City Tours ............................................................................................................................. 29 Sport Fishing......................................................................................................................... 31 Marine Charter Wildlife Viewing/Sightseeing ..................................................................... 33 Hunting ................................................................................................................................. 34 Wilderness Drop-offs............................................................................................................ 35 Sitka Data Caveats ................................................................................................................ 36 6. Northern Southeast Alaska Yachts ........................................................................................... 38 Charter Yachts ...................................................................................................................... 38 Private Yachts ....................................................................................................................... 39 7. Chichagof Island as a Destination............................................................................................. 39 7.1 Elfin Cove .......................................................................................................................... 40 Fishing Lodges...................................................................................................................... 40 Small Cruise Ships................................................................................................................ 41 Transient Boaters .................................................................................................................. 41 Elfin Cove Data Caveats....................................................................................................... 42 7.2 Pelican................................................................................................................................ 42 Charter Operators.................................................................................................................. 43 Independent Boaters.............................................................................................................. 44 Kayakers ............................................................................................................................... 44 Alaska Marine Highway Service .......................................................................................... 44 Pelican Data Caveats............................................................................................................. 45 7.3 Tenakee Springs................................................................................................................. 45 Marine Charters .................................................................................................................... 46 ISER Nature-based Tourism 31 October 2006 Transient Boaters .................................................................................................................. 46 Other Travelers ..................................................................................................................... 46 Tenakee Data Caveats........................................................................................................... 47 7.4 Hoonah............................................................................................................................... 47 Icy Strait Point ...................................................................................................................... 47 Independent Operators.......................................................................................................... 48 Hoonah Data Caveats............................................................................................................ 50 7.5 Chichagof via Sitka............................................................................................................ 51 Air Service and Water Taxis................................................................................................. 51 Marine Charters and Boaters ................................................................................................ 51 Chichagof/Sitka Data Caveats .............................................................................................. 52 7.6 Chichagof via Juneau......................................................................................................... 53 Air Services........................................................................................................................... 53 Charter Yachts .....................................................................................................................
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