HomeMy WebLinkAboutJaponski Boathouse Visitors Bureau letterSitka, Alaska 998.35`
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Fax:(907)747-3739
August 31, 2006
Chairman Arthur C. Tauck, Jr., CTC
Tourism Cares for Tomorrow Board
585 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Dear Mr. Tauck:
1 am writing a letter of support for the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society to be Considered for the
Tourism Cares' Worldwide Grant Program in the amount of $20,000 dollars. This grass roots
group hopes to match funds to achieve their $1.4 million dollar goal to complete the
rehabilitation for Sitka's Japonski Island Boathouse Maritime Heritage Center.
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society (SMHS) has developed this project step-by-step with
membership, community and city support, private and federal grants and was awarded a
matching grant in 2005 from Save America's Treasures. By restoring Japonski Island
Boathouse, the SMHS will not only preserve history, but also perpetuate Sitka's local traditions
with boat and canoe building and repair, oral history, hands-on displays and classes.
Sitka, Alaska's unique cultural and historical aspects are displayed in its long history and
heritage. With Sitka having 24 historic places on the National Register of Historic Places, eight
of these being National Historic Landmarks, these designated sites have great significance with
culture, architecture and history. SMHS values this history and is pursuing the restoration of
this boathouse that was built for the U.S. Navy, a part of World War II National Historic
Landmark, and the only covered marine railway left in Sitka (and one of few left in Alaska).
According to a recent study of Travel Industry Association of America, more than half of the
traveling American public considers it important to experience or learn about cultures or history
other than their own when they travel. In The Historic Traveler, 2003 edition, compared to all
U.S. Travelers, these travelers spend more ($623 vs. $457), are older, are more likely to be
retired, are more likely to have a graduate degree, are more likely to use hotel and bed and
breakfast accommodations, are more like to spend over $1,000, travel longer on overnight trips,
travel more frequently by air and more likely to shop. With Sitka's wealth of history and Alaskan
hospitality, the historic and cultural visitor is the perfect target market that our agency works
diligently to promote to. Future development of historical attractions can help the community
with continuing to preserve, promote and prosper this small city of approximately 8,900
residents on a remote island location in Southeast Alaska.
Because Sitka is a popular port of call in Alaska's Inside Passage, as well as an independent
scenic visitor's destination, the major historic attractions are heavily visited by nearly 300,000
people yearly. This importance of maintaining and furthering our attractions is invaluable to our
community. I hope you will recognize the long-standing history and heritage our city reflects as
a premier travel destination and how these historical attractions provide jobs, economic stability,
local usage and education. With a small community that truly cares about the development of
all businesses, preserving Sitka's heritage will always be a key concern for Sitka because of its
unusual historic past.
I urge you to endorse the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society's request for Tourism Cares'
Worldwide Grant Program funding.
Approved and On Behalf of the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau Board,
Sincerely,
i� rJ
Sandy Lorrig n, Executive director
Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau