News Release

Anchorage has a Shot to be Voted One of America’s Favorite Cities: The Alaska Travel Industry Rallies Residents to Vote

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – April 27, 2009 – Will Anchorage become one of America’s favorite cities? Voters across the country will pick five new cities to join the Travel + Leisure America’s Favorite Cities (AFC) survey. The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is asking all Alaska residents to visit www.travelandleisure.com/afc and cast a Big Wild Vote ™ for Anchorage, Alaska.

“It would be tremendous for Anchorage to be named America’s Favorite City,” says Julie Saupe, president and CEO of ACVB. “Those of us who live here appreciate how special this place is, but to be recognized by residents and travelers alike as one of the best places in America to live, work and play would be an honor. A high visibility publication like this is a true resource for travelers and provides wonderful exposure for its featured destinations. I hope people take the time to vote and show pride in our hometown.”

Travel + Leisure, a monthly travel publication, services 950,000 sophisticated, active, worldwide travelers looking to plan both pleasure and business trips. Each year, the America’s Favorite Cities survey asks travelers to rank 25 top U.S. cities in 45 categories, ranging from food and shopping to people, culture, nightlife, and more! In 2008, more than 125,000 opinionated travelers voted.

From a list of 10 worthy contenders – Anchorage, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Providence, Salt Lake City and St. Louis – just five will make it into the ultimate 2009 lineup. The five new cities will join AFC veterans like Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle and 2008 #1 Favorite City Boston.

Anchorage supporters can cast online ballots and vote Anchorage at www.travelandleisure.com/afc. Site users can cast unlimited votes throughout the voting period, ending May 15, 2009. Travel + Leisure will announce the top five cities on May 20, 2009

Should Anchorage make the cut, site users will be invited to complete a survey about Anchorage beginning June 1, 2009. The city with the highest ranks will become Travel + Leisure’s #1 Favorite City in America.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third to service the bond debt and operations of the Anchorage Convention Centers. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Anderson Moores
Vice President, Communications
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
mooreswj@gci.net
(907) 229-6925 (cell)

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