Tourism officials ask for state marketing dollars to boost shoulder‑season and independent travel

Municipal tourism officials and small business owners told the Senate Finance Committee that statewide marketing is essential to sustaining Alaska’s year‑round businesses and communities.

Jamie Bricker, tourism director for Skagway, urged inclusion of tourism marketing funds in the FY27 budget, citing a $5.6 billion statewide economic impact from tourism, 48,000 jobs supported and $181.7 million in state revenue in 2024. He said statewide marketing helps attract independent travelers who visit in shoulder seasons and support year‑round businesses.

Teal West, a Sitka business owner, asked the committee to consider a $10,000,000 investment in statewide tourism marketing, saying the modest appropriation compared with hundreds of millions in tourism revenue would help sustain coastal communities and allow younger families to remain in Alaska. Witnesses said statewide campaigns increase the likelihood that travelers choose Alaska and extend stays that support local restaurants, tour operators and retail.

Committee members did not act on the request during the morning session; the testimony was delivered as part of public comment on the FY27 budgets.