This is the Summer for FITs | KINY Radio
The solid work that the City & Borough of Juneau has put into curbing COVID cases and offering vaccines places Juneau, as a destination, in an enviable spot, and Travel Juneau’s marketing to invite and encourage fully independent travelers (FITs) is critical to our community’s economic recovery. We’re busy getting the message out that, this summer, independent travelers have an incredible opportunity to experience Juneau and Southeast Alaska. Juneau is the safe destination that our FITs are looking for.
Juneauites are now speaking the language of the visitor industry. While I was enjoying lunch at a local eatery a few days ago, the server asked, “Will we see more FITs this summer?” This demonstrates the impact the visitor industry has on Juneau’s economy and that the 2021 season weighs on our minds. The value of visitors to our community is undeniable: aside from revenue generated in sales tax, hotel bed tax, and property tax, industry businesses support local youth and service organizations, sports teams, and much more. The old story of “all tourist businesses pack up after the season and take all their money down south” is just that – a misinformed story.