It’s no secret that Alaska — like many other popular tourist destinations — took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as more cruise ships return to its shores and independent travelers continue to flock there, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) decided to also resume its annual Alaska Media Road Show.
Hosted last week in Las Vegas, the Alaska Media Road Show gathered representatives from two dozen tourism companies, along with nearly 20 journalists, to discuss all things new in Alaska. Though each company shared the variety of creative ways that they weathered the pandemic — as well as newer products and offerings debuting soon — the resounding overall message was the same: Alaska is rebounding bigger and better than its pre-pandemic days.
Here are the top three takeaways that advisors should know when planning their clients’ 2022 Alaska vacations.
Cruising’s Big Comeback
Despite many battles with maritime laws and the Conditional Sail Order imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several cruise companies were able to resume sailings this summer, albeit for a shortened season. With full winter and summer seasons coming up, cruise lines are gearing up for a big comeback. In fact, if companies manage to operate at full capacity — as they fully expect to do — 2022 will see 1.6 million cruise passengers visit Alaska in comparison to 1.3 million cruisers in 2019.
After running a partial season last year, Princess Cruises will return to Alaska next year with six ships, including the new Discovery Princess, which will run seven-day Inside Passage itineraries. When the ship makes its debut, Discovery Princess will be the youngest ship to sail out of Seattle, as well as the youngest to sail to Alaska. All Princess ships in Alaska will also now feature Medallion Class technology to allow for as many “contactless” services as possible.
Six Princess ships will return to Alaska next year.
Credit: 2021 Princess CruisesCelebrity Cruises will begin sailings in early May, the line’s earliest-ever start to the Alaska season. Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will offer seven-night sailings, all of which will include trips to Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage.
Hurtigruten began offering Alaska sailings in late 2019 before the pandemic forced the shutdown of operations. Now, with free reign to return to the region, the line will offer sailings onboard a 500-passenger ship from May to August 2022. The expedition company’s 14- and 18-night itineraries are especially designed for travelers looking for a deeper exploration of the state and an interest in participating in research and conservation efforts in Alaska.
Although cruising is expected to be bigger than ever next year, representatives from ATIA were clear in emphasizing that independent travelers are still welcome in Alaska, and the state hopes the increase in non-cruise visitors will continue.
2022 in Alaska: A Year of Major Milestones
Alaska is making its big comeback just in time to celebrate special milestones in the state’s tourism industry. For example, in 2022, John Hall’s Alaska, a family-run, all-inclusive land tour operator, will usher in their 40th year of service. To mark the occasion, John Hall Sr., the family patriarch and founder of the company, will retrace the steps he took when he first drove his 1947 Cadillac to move from Minnesota to Alaska. He’ll drive the same model car on the journey next year, but this time he’ll be accompanying a busload of travelers eager to see Alaska through his expert eyes. Several members of the Hall family will also join the two trips, departing in May and September, to truly make it a family affair — just like the rest of the business.
Tour companies aren’t the only ones celebrating important anniversaries next year. Perhaps one of 2022’s most anticipated events in Alaska will be the 50th anniversary of the iconic Iditarod sled dog race, which covers more than 1,000 miles of snowy terrain. Travelers can head to Anchorage to bid the dogs and their mushers good luck as the race starts, or they can travel to Nome to give the competitors a hero’s welcome at the finish line. For a closer look at all the action, clients can enter the IditaRider auction, where fans can bid to be a rider in a mushers’ sled for the first 11 miles of the race.
Changes in Denali National Park
The 92-mile Denali Park Road closed in August and will remain closed past Mile 43 for the 2022 visitor season. This doesn’t mean clients won’t be able to make a visit, however. According to the National Park Service, “The vast majority of Denali National Park remains open for visitors. Buses will continue to allow access to Mile 42 of the Denali Park Road, the Denali Visitor Center continues to provide daily ranger services, and front-country trails and backcountry access remain open. The Kantishna airstrip also remains open.”
Visitors can zipline near Denali National Park.
Credit: 2021 Denali Park AdventuresFor a different kind of Denali experience, send your clients to Denali Park Adventures. The company operates on property that is surrounded by Denali National Park lands — without actually being part of the park. This allows them to offer ziplining, ATV tours and more. Denali Park Adventures is also the only company in the area to offer tours on the Denali Highway.
