JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Angoon, Elfin Cove, Kake, Pelican and Tenakee Springs aren’t the Southeast communities that come to mind when Alaska-bound vacationers begin researching trips.
That’s about to change - or at least, that’s the goal.
The five communities have teamed with Alaska Seaplanes to spend a $300,000 federal grant to market and showcase the raw beauty of Southeast wilderness areas that don’t typically catch travel writers’ eyes.
“They’re the true embodiment of Alaska - they’re remote, rural, spectacularly beautiful, rich in resources and they have deep histories and cultural roots,” Alaska Seaplanes co-owner Kent Craford said of the destinations. “They’re unspoiled. That’s what they really have to offer - they’re authentic, and it’s that authenticity we think we can capture through this program.”
The program will develop marketing strategies for the communities, build brands for advertising materials and work with consultants to determine what kinds of travel packages the communities should offer.
“We’re talking about the opportunity to experience authentic Alaska to folks that might otherwise get sucked into T-shirt shops,” Craford said. “It’s the Alaska you read about; it’s the Alaska you heard about; it’s the Alaska you dreamt about - but it’s not the one you see advertised.”
Still, that doesn’t mean Alaska Seaplanes and the communities will be funneling all the grant money to advertising.
“That would be a quick recipe for wasting the money,” Craford joked.
Instead, the group is brainstorming the best uses for the funds. One idea being tossed around is to host major national travel writers so they can appreciate the off-the-beaten-path charm.
“Wouldn’t it be great to see some of these communities featured or written about in something like the New York Times or LA Times?” Craford asked.
One definitive plan for the funds is to work with a consultant as the marketing plan is developed. That phase will begin the end of this month with Alaska Seaplanes flying a consultant to each of the communities.
“It’s a full marketing program to market these five communities and their air service connection to Juneau residents, visitors from down south and the world, really,” Craford said.
More information about each community and a couple of travel packages already developed is available on the group’s website, UnseenAlaska.com.
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Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, https://www.juneauempire.com
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