Visit Anchorage, Alaska Alaska Travel Industry Association and Alaska Airlines recently came together to address agents in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru in a bid to promote the destination. According to Moire Duggan, Travel Trade Marketing Manager, Alaska Travel Industry Association, the destination received 1.85 million tourist arrivals in 2012, of which 51 per cent were cruise travellers. She further added that Alaska receives a lot of repeat visitors as travellers don’t realise how much there is to see.
While Duggan recommended state parks, national parks, glaciers, wildlife excursions and scenic sights, Marsha Barton, Tourism Sales Manager, Visit Anchorage highlighted museums and downtown sights, and rail tours for wildlife and backcountry viewing.
“We were invited by Visit Anchorage to come after the success they met with on their visit to India last year. India is a huge emerging market for us and we are really excited to be here. We can see that there are several Indian families and FITs coming in, although we don’t have a breakup of numbers. We have noted that word is getting out that Alaska is an exciting and unique destination and that is why we have come all the way here,” said Duggan.
On their visit in 2012, Visit Anchorage and Alaska Airlines promoted the destination to agents in Mumbai and Delhi. Witnessing a rise in numbers from Bengaluru, however, they have added the city to their 2013 visit. “Maybe next year we will see a fourth city in our itinerary,” Duggan added.
Duggan further revealed that there are 500 Indian travellers booked to Alaska for 2015, so the destination knows there are large groups expected that year. The destination is working with hoteliers for Indian – specific menus and services to cater to the market better, she added.
