Local workshop aims to contribute to sustainable tourism plan

The Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Huddle and McKinley Research Group, hosted the second of four community workshops Monday evening. Bonnie Quill of the MSCVB opened the meeting by outlining the purpose of the workshops. The project is funded through a grant from the Non-Profit Recovery Fund of the American Rescue Plan with the goal of creating a Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for the Mat-Su Borough. Quill says the overall objective is to grow tourism within the borough while balancing the quality of life for borough residents.

The workshop began with Katie Berry of McKinley Research Group – formerly McDowell Group – presenting the research group’s findings from their Economic Impact of the Visitor Industry in the Mat-Su Borough report, conducted in 2016.

Holly Spoth-Torres of Huddle then directed the attendees to split into small groups to brainstorm and discuss strengths, challenges, and opportunities related to tourism within the Mat-Su with focus on the Talkeetna area.

A group of about ten residents of Talkeetna and surrounding areas attended Monday evening’s workshop, at Su Valley High. The attendees consisted of private citizens, small business owners, and members of area non-profits.

The first of four scheduled workshops took place last Tuesday at Government Peak Chalet near Hatcher Pass. The remaining two workshops are scheduled for this Wednesday at Glacier View Elementary School on mile 104 of the Glen Highway, and for Thursday at the Menard Center in Wasilla. Both workshops are scheduled for 6-8pm.

There are still opportunities for local residents to provide input outside of the workshops. An interactive mapping activity where participants can add what they love to do and the places they love to see within the Mat-Su Burough is available online, as is a survey hosted by McKinley Research Group. The results of the workshops, interactive map, and online survey will inform the final report, which will be completed by the end of June this year.