Seven hundred tour operators and suppliers were in Anchorage this week to attend the Go West Summit, estimated to have a more than $1 million economic impact.
The yearly meeting, scheduled this year for Feb. 22 to 24, enables travel suppliers and buyers to “speed date” in which they have 12 minutes to cement a purchasing relationship.
Julie Saupe, president and CEO of Visit Anchorage, said the Anchorage summit has drawn the highest attendance record ever recorded for the event, with 32 countries represented.
The Go West Summit allows suppliers and buyers to learn more about tourism-related topics, including integrating native culture into the visitor experience and expanding opportunities for winter visitors to Alaska.
Saupe says the high attendance at this year’s summit is further proof that the travel community around the globe has confidence in the Alaska product and its ability to meet the expectations of large and small tour operators. More information is available at www.gowestsummit.com.