News Release
Anchorage’s March Hotel Occupancy Reports Large Increase
Anchorage, Alaska – May 15, 2006 – A month full of exciting winter events, including Fur Rendezvous, the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the Tour of Anchorage pushed Anchorage’s hotel occupancy rate to 62.2 % in March, a 10.5 % increase over hotel occupancy last year, according to the most recent trend report from Smith Travel Research.
“This year is off to a great start as hotel occupancy and revenue have surpassed the first three months of 2005,” said Bruce Bustamante, president and C.E.O. for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).
The hotel occupancy rate in March 2005 was 56.3% with a 5.7 decrease from the previous year. In March 2004, the occupancy rate was 59.7%, an 8.3 % increase from 2003.
Enjoying the winter trio is becoming increasing popular. Fur Rendezvous (scheduled mid February – early March) is one of the largest winter festivals in North America, featuring 120 uniquely Alaskan events such as snowshoe softball, the Frostbite Footrace, frozen river bowling, and the World Championship Sled Dog Races. On the first Saturday of March, thousands of residents and visitors line Fourth Avenue in downtown Anchorage to witness the start of the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A day later, the Tour of Anchorage takes classical and freestyle skiers through the city’s award-winning trail system on a 25K, 40K and 50K race route.
“Anchorage is a very active winter city,” Bustamante said. “Cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing – it’s all available in Anchorage. Winter is also a great bargain with hotel rates often two-thirds less than peak summer season.”
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic and Convention construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.
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Media Contacts:
Laura Tanis
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
ltanis@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
nlarsen@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118 direct
