11/14/03 - News Release - Winter Festivals Have Tr
News Release
Anchorage, Alaska (Nov. 14, 2003)
WINTER FESTIVALS HAVE TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT
Winter visits to Anchorage are on the rise as more visitors discover the abundance of in- and outdoor activities available in the spectacular winter wonderland. Anchorage offers a wide variety of cultural events and activities during winter season, which, coupled with the demographic of winter visitors, have a tremendous economic impact to the Anchorage economy.
A recent study by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) states that nearly 93 million Americans included at least one cultural, arts, heritage, historic activity or event while traveling in the past year. Many travelers extend their trips specifically to participate in cultural or historic events and activities. Travelers are looking for an intimate experience that allows for total immersion to a culture, destination or experience.
Recent studies show that travelers in this group spend an average of $631 per trip compared to $457 for U.S. travelers, excluding transportation to the destination,” said Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. Two of the most famous historical and cultural events in Alaska are the Fur Rendezvous Festival and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. 2004 marks the beginning of a new tradition in Anchorage with the events sharing a common weekend.
Fur Rendezvous, traditionally a 10-day winter celebration will extend to a 17-day winter festival, Feb. 20 – March 7, 2004, - one of the largest winter festivals in North America. Fur Rondy, affectionately termed by locals, supports and celebrates the beginning of the end of winter. Because fur trading was the second leading industry in Alaska in 1935, it became an important part of the festival and a golden opportunity for trappers and buyers to meet in Anchorage and eliminate the expensive middleman. Trapping contests were held, and prizes were awarded for the longest fox, the best fox and the finest ermine pelts. Fur Rondy has evolved over the years and includes Alaskan favorites such as snowshoe softball, Eskimo blanket toss and Ice Bowling, as well as marquee events such as the Miners and Trappers Ball, the Grand Prix Auto Race and the World Championship Sled Dog Races.
The 32nd Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, March 6, 2004, brings out visitors and locals alike to catch a glimpse of the veteran and rookie mushers, their dog handlers and, of course, the stars of the event – the dogs. The trail had its beginnings as a mail and supply route. In 1925, the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway when the small town of Nome was threatened by a diphtheria epidemic. At the time there was only one bush pilot that would brave the unpredictable weather and he was unavailable. A Pony Express-type relay of dog teams was quickly organized. The serum went on the train to Nenana, where the first musher took it west to the Yukon. Every village along the route offered its best team and driver for is leg to speed the serum toward Nome. The serum arrived in time to prevent the epidemic and saved hundreds of lives.
The race today continues as a challenge of man and animal against the wild Alaska terrain. Each mile covered is a tribute to Alaska’s history. The Saturday start begins with more than 1,000 dogs lined up along Fourth Avenue in Anchorage, decked out in brightly colored, tiny booties, impatiently waiting to bolt down the chute with sled and driver in tow. Onlookers get the opportunity to experience history as they get a close-up view of the teams preparing for the 1,049 mile journey to Nome, Alaska.
Research shows that today’s travelers seek adventure and experience-based vacations and that many of the visitors in the winter are repeat visitors from the summer. Travel trends also show that more and more convention and meeting delegates are extending their trips either before or after conventions and meetings, and turning what was once a quick work trip into a family vacation, taking advantage of the many pre- and post activities available Winter conventions are a tremendous boost to the Anchorage economy. Many conventions and meetings book around Fur Rondy and the Iditarod as a draw for their delegates. A few of the upcoming winter conventions include Winter Cities Meeting Feb. 18 – 22, 2004, with 800 delegates; International Airlines Ski Federation World Airline Ski Championship Feb. 29 – March 5, 2004, with 600 delegates; Native Youth Olympics, April 22 – 24, 2004, with 400 delegates. These three conventions alone will have an estimated econonic impact of $3,961,874 to the Anchorage economy.
Other winter events include, USSA Junior Olypmics Ski Jump and Nordic Combined Nationals 2004 competition, March 3 – 6, 2004, with 100 delegates, the Tour of Anchorage with 1,800 competitors, and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Associations Chevy Truck U.S. Alpine Championship March 16- 23, 2004, in Girdwood with 600 delgates. The estimated economic impact of the three events $755,577.
Anchorage is truly a wonderland in the winter and the excitement of the many activities reverberates throughout the city including events, skiing, dogsledding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, snow machining, and many more all available within the Anchorage bowl. For more information regarding winter events or activities within Anchorage, explore www.anchorage.net.
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 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, see www.anchorage.net.
Contacts:
Erika Siegel, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
esiegel@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
