States and cities have tried a lot of creative slogans over the years to entice people to come visit. "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." The iconic "I Love NY" slogan and logo. And there's the romantic "Virginia is for lovers."
Now we have the newest entrant among tourism marketing campaigns. We could call it: "Get stuck in Alaska."
The state of Alaska will offer free COVID-19 vaccinations for travelers who come to the 49th state this summer. If the fishing and scenery, the long summer nights and hiking trails aren't enough of a draw, maybe a shot in the arm will help make that vacation decision a little easier.
That shot in a traveler's arm could serve as a booster shot in the arm of Alaska's ailing tourism industry.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced plans for a state-funded, nationwide Alaska tourism marketing campaign last week. It includes the opportunity of free vaccinations for travelers as they land in Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage or Fairbanks, the major gateway airports in the state.
"If you come to Alaska - and this will start on June 1 - if you come to Alaska, you get a free vaccination," Dunleavy said.
The state believes it will have enough doses to provide the shots, and certainly there are areas of the country where people are still waiting for their first stick of the potentially life-saving vaccine. It's a marriage of supply and demand. And probably a much healthier marriage than whatever happens in Vegas.
The governor deserves credit for approving and promoting the idea. It's not going to solve the problem of a missing million-plus cruise ship travelers to the state, or the frustration of closed gates at Canadian border crossings. But it may help convince more travelers to come north this year. Just as Alaska has the capacity to stick more people with the COVID-19 vaccine, our tourism industry has the capacity to handle more tourists this summer.
Maybe state officials and the Alaska tourism industry could take it one shot further and issue an invitation to come north to governors and mayors from around the country who have yet to receive their dose of the pharnmaceutical wonder. Some places give keys to the city to visiting dignataries. Alaska could give them a vaccination stick.
Besides, it's good for the country. The more people who get vaccinated the better. And maybe the state could design a special Alaska bandage for after the shot. Some blue and gold and the words: "I got stuck in Alaska!"
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