Tourism operators ask Senate finance committee for $10 million in destination marketing

Matt Atkinson, a lifelong Alaskan and co‑owner of aviation and tour companies that serve numerous remote communities, urged the Senate Finance Committee to include $10,000,000 in the state budget for tourism marketing.

Atkinson, who serves on the board of the Alaska Travel Industry Association and the Alaska Air Carriers Association, said Alaska brings significant out‑of‑state dollars through tourism but ranks near the bottom in state investment for destination marketing. He argued that marketing is an investment that generates new economic activity, supports jobs and local tax revenues, and helps sustain rural air routes and businesses that depend on visitor traffic.

He cited international competition from countries that heavily invest in marketing and urged the committee to consider tourism’s role in supporting rural economies when weighing budget priorities. No committee action was taken during the hearing.