Sitka Chamber of Commerce Archives

Thread director: Paying ‘true cost’ of child care is a community effort

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Dec 6, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated

The childcare crisis in Sitka – and across the rest of the state – is an economic problem, according to Stephanie Berglund, the CEO of Thread, a statewide child care resource agency. She spoke to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce on December 4. Read More

‘Visit Sitka’ wins funding for another year, but assembly skeptics signal change is needed

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Mar 29, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated, Tourism

Visit Sitka is funded largely through the bed tax, but some on the assembly feel it's become too focused on cruise tourism. At a recent work session, members discussed whether Visit Sitka should be overhauled, and put out to bid. Read More

Assembly weighs creation of Sitka Tourism Commission, and a new tourism director position in City Hall

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Mar 13, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated

One likely outcome of the rapid growth of tourism in Sitka will be the hiring of a tourism director in city hall, and an overhaul of the contract with the Sitka Chamber of Commerce's "Visit Sitka." Read More

Sitkans share ‘magic numbers’ for future cruise tourism in survey

by Meredith Redick | Jan 30, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated

Over 1000 Sitkans responded to a cruise tourism survey recently circulated by the city’s tourism task force. When the task force met Thursday night (1-25-24), they reviewed the survey results and continued to grapple with questions about how to “right size” tourism in Sitka. Read More

Assembly to reconsider scope of visitor services contract

by Katherine Rose | Jan 26, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated

With two record breaking summer cruise seasons under the city’s belt and a third on the way, Sitkas are reflecting on how the community is responding to growth in the tourism sector. Now, the Sitka Assembly is asking whether it should change the scope of its visitor services program to focus on something other than bringing more visitors to town. Read More