Yo, Metla (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai: travel, home, banks)

[Metlakatla]

Only the stupid ones.

So I suppose that would be a "yes".

[JD1266]

There is a difference between a traveler and a tourist.

[Metlakatla]

I think that we know that. However, cruise ships don't normally spit out travelers.

[JD1266]

No I suppose not, just wondering on the attitude twords outsider we have been planning a drive up and have been to some places were if you show up with bags people automatically frown upon you.

Sorry for wasting your time! I was just bored

[Metlakatla]

You didn't waste anyone's time. I think you'll find that Alaska in general is friendly to travelers.

[rotorhead]

Don't take us wrong, Alaskans generally love tourists. It's just that we don't necessarily love them all at once, in overwhelming numbers, like what happens when a cruise ship spits out 2000 people at once in a town of maybe 2500 permanent residents. Seeing as most all of the traditional extractive industry jobs like mining, timber harvesting, and to some extent commercial fishing have all significantly declined, tourism is perhaps the most important facet of the new economy...whether we like it or not. Some people want things to go back to the old days, but that can't happen and some folks have a hard time accepting that. Like any economic transition, there are winners and losers and the new status quo doesn't necessarily benefit those who have benefitted before, leading to some discontent and a lot of catty comments on the internet, amongst other venues.

That said, it still doesn't give people licence to check their brains at the causeway. We know that you're a tourist in town for a day ow two and we certainly appreciate the fact that you've spent considerable time and money to get here, but we'd still like you to use some common sense like you would at home. For example, don't stand in the middle of the street taking photos with no regard for traffic. Don't show up at the towns only bakery and spend two hours nursing that cup of coffee when other people are waiting for tables. Don't feed the bears, ravens, gulls, or other animals, and leave the spawning salmon alone. Also don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't be surprised if you get some funny answers from time to time. When it's the ten-thousandth time you've heard the same question, some people find a bit of amusement in giving some off the wall answers to relieve the monotony.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by JD1266

Are you against all tourists?

Me? No, but I've traveled on enough cruise ships to dislike ugly Americans.

[JD1266]

I guess I was just caught off gaurd by this forum but I was not thinking of tourism the way you describe it. Being from North centeral Minnesota our idea of tourism is the two times a year you see an out of state license plate. I definetly see were you are comming from.

[JD1266]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Me? No, but I've traveled on enough cruise ships to dislike ugly Americans.

Sorry for the uglieness we're born that way

[Woof]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

.... and leave the spawning salmon alone.....

No dynamite fishing?

And are very frugal people considered to be tourists or travellers? I mean those of us who would have to paddle a homemade raft to check out Alaska.