Travel restrictions mean more deals for Alaskans from local tourism businesses

From ADN.com

Are you itching for a road trip to get out of town? Are you planning for guests to come visit this summer? Are you hoping the current travel restrictions (particularly the 14-day quarantine for people coming in from out of state) will be eased? You’re not alone.

Gradually, carefully, some operators are opening up for visitors. Travel companies also are turning their attention to their neighbors here in Alaska. Alaska residents, along with their friends and relatives from Outside, will account for a large part of this year’s visitor count.

Unlike in past years, there is not a mad dash to fill early-season slots on tours or in hotel rooms. Many venues still are waiting for travel restrictions to ease before their out-of-state staff can arrive. Other operators are closely monitoring social distancing policies and mandated cleaning/disinfecting protocols to avoid spreading the new coronavirus.

Heading south from Anchorage, some of the usual attractions in Girdwood aren’t available. The Hotel Alyeska is closed until June 1, so details aren’t yet available on tram rides or activities. Eleven more miles down the Seward Highway is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. “We’ve got six bears here at the center,” said Nicole Geils, the marketing manager. “And they’re all awake.”