A decline in visitors to the state of Alaska has had a knock-on effect on related businesses, according to a new survey.
The Alaska Travel Industry Association surveyed 315 tourism-related companies and found that the steady growth in visitors to the state over the past few years came to a halt this summer.
Overall there was zero growth in 2002, although some sectors were in sharp decline while others saw increases.
The survey found that Alaska businesses suffered a 6% decline in the number of independent tourists to the state while the number of cruise passengers increased by 4%.
Some 81% of businesses primarily serving the adventure travel market reported a decline in volumes, as did 65% of businesses serving the sport fishing market.
