The economic contributions of bear viewing in southcentral Alaska
Young TB and Little JM. 2019. The economic contributions of bear viewing in southcentral Alaska. University of Alaska Fairbanks. Fairbanks, AK
This study examines the economic contribution of remote-access bear viewing to the regional economy of Southcentral Alaska. Bear viewing opportunities are inextricably linked to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary (SGS), Katmai National Park & Preserve (NP&P), and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (NP&P). The predictability of brown bear congregations has influenced the development of permanent bear viewing sites within all three parks, which allows visitors to plan trips in advance (NPS 2019; ADF&G 2019). In order to reach these remote-access bear viewing sites, businesses in local communities have been providing services, such as air/boat taxis, wildlife guides and sleeping accommodations, to visitors for well over 40 years.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Young, Taylor; Little, Joseph
- Date of Issue
- 2019-05
- Publisher
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Units
- KATM , LACL
- Keywords
- bear viewing, brown bears, economic activity, wildlife viewing
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Human Use | Visitor and Recreation Use | Visitor Use