Tourism might have to pinch-hit

Dear Commissioner Notti,

We were bummed to read that you decided to step down from Alaska's Permanent Fund Board. We imagine that protecting Alaska's working capital during these tough economic times has been a team effort, and we hope your departure won't upset clubhouse chemistry too much. Although we were sad to learn of your resignation, we understand why you did it. A governor's spokesperson said you already belong to 23 other boards, and that you're stretched pretty thin. We're glad you decided to cut back a little and concentrate more on something we've been really concerned about lately: Alaska's future.

As you may have already heard, people are saying that because North Slope oil production is steadily dwindling, the trans-Alaska oil pipeline is approaching the end of its economic life. If nothing is done about that, they also say, Alaska will plunge into an economic dark age because that industry is such a huge part of our economy. It is a huge part; no one's disputing that. But tinkering with taxes and regulations on the industry seems lately like a big, complicated guessing game. Given that arguments over taxes, environmental regulations, and possible mega projects look like they'll take a long time to solve, it's safe to assume that the Alaska petroleum industry will continue to decline in the near future. That's scary, no doubt, but there's hope.

For a long time now, one particular industry in Alaska hasn't been living up to its full potential, and if it starts gearing up right now, it might be able to help weather the storm.

Despite the best efforts of your Department and some local visitors bureaus, tourism remains effectively a one-season industry in Alaska, and because of the extreme seasonal fluctuation in business, it still has to import many workers, vendors, and operators from elsewhere. Winter visitors are still really scarce except for certain events, such as the Iditarod and aurora-watching's peak. In short, winter is the natural gas of Alaska tourism.

We thought at first that mining, fishing, or timber might pick up the slack when oil goes down the tubes, but they're all difficult-to-manage or finite, and as extractive industries, they still come with many of the same legislative and environmental hassles that the oil industry does. Tourism seems far less contentious, and it's losing about nine months of business opportunity every year.

Rural Alaska, particularly the Arctic, is missing out on all kinds of tourism. And, since the Arctic seems to be getting warmer, visitors are missing out on what's shaping up to be the last opportunity to behold its full, white, billion-starred, bug-free winter glory.