NEWS RELEASE
Anchorage, Alaska – Jan. 17, 2003
2002 Ends Flat But Fares Well Against A Variable National Economy
“2002 ended flat,” reported John Rense, vice president and general manager of Tour Arctic and chair of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) board of directors, at the Bureau’s annual Report to the Community luncheon today at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center.
Bed tax collection was nearly $11 million, $67 thousand less than 2001. “Considering the economic climate and uncertainty in the leisure travel market early in 2002, Anchorage faired well,” said Bruce Bustamante, ACVB’s president and CEO. “We saw a 13% growth in hotel occupancies Jan. – May, but a 3% decline during summer months – down, but better than the national average. We finished 2002 strong with a record fourth quarter, bringing in $24 million in estimated economic impact to the city October to December.”
ACVB works closely with its member businesses to market Anchorage and attract leisure travelers and meetings and convention business to the city. ACVB tracked nearly $152 million in estimated economic impact (EEI) to Anchorage as a result of its conventions, meetings and tourism sales efforts throughout 2002.
The 2002 conventions and meetings sales goal – meaning meetings booked in 2002 that may have taken place in 2002 or in the future – was $83 million. Conventions and meetings sold in 2002 was $77,686,832.
The 2002 goal for the leisure market – tourism sales – was $84 million. The year ended at $74,119,291 in EEI tracked, equating to nearly 415,000 room nights. ACVB tracked $77,153,704 in estimated economic impact during 2002 from conventions and meetings taking place in Anchorage. Forty-five percent of the convention business represents outside groups and 55 percent comes from within Alaska. In-state business was up 3 percent in 2002. "After the events of 2001, we were not sure what to expect in 2002,” said Bustamante. “Our marketing plan was solid, however, and we chose not to change our 2002 sales goals, but to implement strategies in fourth quarter of 2001.” Familiarization tours are one of the tools ACVB uses to market Anchorage. In 2002, ACVB worked with members to bring 114 meeting planners and guests to Anchorage to inspect facilities and experience activities. The meeting planners represent a potential $29.6 million in new business if they confirm their meetings in Anchorage.
ACVB uses many communications tools to market Anchorage, including statewide, national and international media relations. The 2002 advertising equivalency goal for print editorial was $2.5 million. The Bureau exceeded the goal, securing more than $6 million in advertising equivalency editorial coverage for Anchorage as recorded by Bacon’s Media Monitoring Services.
Rense highlighted other achievements of the visitor industry and ACVB, including the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, which encourages walkers to “graze” at the many food stations along a 5K route. More than $120,000 was distributed to local charities.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage, which has been named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 1956, 1965, 1984, and 2002. The All-America City distinction makes Anchorage one of only seven cities nationwide to receive the award four or more times since its inception in 1949. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by hotels. The other half goes to the Municipality’s general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.anchorage.net.
CONTACTS:
Nance Larsen
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
