Tourism in Alaska can be a tricky thing. On one hand, visitors come here for everything that makes this place incredible: glaciers, wildlife, fishing, mountains, and small coastal communities full of character. On the other hand, the people who actually live here still have to grocery shop, get to work, find parking, and somehow keep these communities feeling like home long after the visitors leave. Somewhere in the middle of all that is a concept called destination stewardship.

On this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Millane, Board of Directors President of the Seward Chamber of Commerce and one of the people leading the charge behind Seward’s Destination Stewardship Committee. We talk about the future of tourism in Alaska, the challenges of balancing growth with community well-being, and why stewardship isn’t just about protecting the environment. It’s also about protecting the experience for both visitors and locals alike.

What's important for visitors to know about visiting Alaska? Can tourism actually make a community stronger instead of overwhelming it? And wait, you're telling me people actually live in these places?! It's the episode where we all sing kumbaya together!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Hawthorne Longfall Mystery Hop Pale Ale by Turnagain Brewing

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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