State and federal agencies coupled with an ecotourism association are sponsoring a tourism symposium Jan. 29-31 in Juneau. Sponsors are the U.S. Forest Service, the state Division of Community and Business Development and the Alaska Wilderness Recreation Tourism Association.
"Working Together -- Tourism in Southeast" will feature presentations, panel discussions and small group discussions. The sessions aim to provide a forum for communities, land managers, tour operators and other organizations to share ideas and expertise.
Key topics include current and emerging trends, visitor demographics, new ideas and initiatives, viewpoint and solutions.
Symposium organizers hope this event will build on relationships and cooperation gained at a similar symposium conducted in March 1999 in Sitka.
Registration is $75 and includes two lunches, refreshments and a resource notebook. For more information, visit (www.fs.fed.us/r10/workingtoget her /index.shtml) or call Marti Marshall at 907-586-8872 or Aneta Synan at 907-465-3961.
Fifth Princess hotel in Alaska takes shape near Copper River
Construction continues this month on Princess Tours' fifth hotel in Alaska, the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, according to company officials. The 84-room hotel is set to open in May.
During January workers will install mechanical and electrical systems, handle painting, floor work and plumbing, and install electrical fixtures.
Workers already had already begun landscaping work, as well as sign installation and some utility projects.
The structure should be complete in mid-March, Princess Tours officials said. Furniture and electronic equipment is scheduled to arrive in April.
The hotel is being built near the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve with views of the Copper and Klutina rivers.
