Tourism Projects

Copper river country mapguide

CRWP has joined efforts with partners and community members from the Copper Basin to develop a Copper River Country  Mapguide. The work group first met in January 09 in order to confirm overall goals and vision for the project.  Ultimately the group aims to develop a product that will promote a greater understanding and appreciation for the region's diverse cultural and natural history and resources, and encourage respect for private and public lands and the people of the area. 

Work group participants to date include representatives from:

• Copper Valley Development Association
• Prince William Sound Community College
• Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve
• Wrangell Mountains Center
• Ahtna Heritage Foundation
• Copper Valley Historical Society
• Gakona Village Council
• Glennallen office, Bureau of Land Management
• Copper Valley Native Association
• Ahtna, Inc.
• Interested residents from communities in the Copper Basin

For more information on this project, download the Project Scope. 

Workshop notes from the January 2009 workshop can also be downloaded here.  

Click here to view an article announcing the workshop from the January 8, 2009 Copper River Record.

Click here to view an article summarizing the workshop from the February 19, 2009 Copper River Record.

Cordova Tourism Plan

Over the last five years, Cordova has made a significant investment of time and money to plan for tourism growth. Parties active in this process include the Chamber of Commerce, the Copper River Watershed Project, the City, and many individuals, including residents, business and property owners. Most of this work was coordinated and carried out by a tourism committee formed jointly by the City, the Cordova Chamber of Commerce and the Copper River Watershed Project. Christopher Beck and Associates worked extensively throughout this process, under contract to the CRWP. Important outcomes of this work include:

• Cordova Tourism Plan (September 2002)
• Cordova Tourism Marketing Plan (January 2000)
• Making the Most of Copper River Resources: Tourism Resources & Options (April 1998)

Goals and Summary Vision Statement

Surveys of visitors conducted over the last several years found what residents already know: Cordova’s great strength as a tourism destination is that it is an unspoiled destination, a real town in a spectacular natural setting. In the Tourism Committee and Chamber of Commerce’s vision for tourism,

Cordova should aim for modest numbers of high value, low impact visitors, including independent travelers, Alaska residents, smaller cruise ships and small groups of package travelers. The community, including businesses and residents, the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and groups like the Copper River Watershed Project, the Eyak Corporation, the Native Village of Eyak and the PWS Science Center, should work together to take actions so that in the future, tourism brings more benefits to the community, while strengthening and not harming those qualities that make Cordova a great place to live (and to visit).

Tourism Goals

Expand and diversify Cordova’s economy.

• Promote year-round tourism: strengthen summer visitation and encourage more visits in the fall, winter and spring
• Work toward steady tourism growth; avoid dramatic spikes and valleys
• Emphasize forms of tourism that can be sustained over the long term

Maintain a healthy, productive, natural environment.

• Protect natural systems that support fish and wildlife habitat, commercial fishing, subsistence

Maintain quality of community life.

• Focus on improved attractions such as trails and sidewalks that directly benefit residents
• Maintain the small town qualities that make Cordova a unique place to live and visit

Improve Cordova’s fiscal health and public infrastructure.

Keep the community informed and involved in tourism decisions.

For more details on tourism planning in Cordova or copies of our work, please contact the CRWP [link TK] or visit www.cordovachamber.com.

Cordova Walking Loop

A series of interpretive signs are being created to form a walking loop around Cordova. These signs tell the story of Cordova's history, native cultures in the region, our natural resources, and help illustrate Cordova's commercial fishing industry. The Alaska Department of Transportation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chugach National Forest/Cordova Ranger District, the Native Village of Eyak, the City of Cordova, and the PWS Science Center all contributed to drafting and producing these signs.

Copper River Wild! Festival

Cordova celebrates the Copper River Wild! Festival on July 28-30, 2011 with the annual Salmon Runs, Salmon Jam concert, educational activities for all ages, and a whole lot more! Visit www.copperriverwild.org for up-to-date information about this year's festivities.