Cordova Tourism Plan

From 1998 – 2002, Cordovans made a significant investment of time and money to plan for tourism growth. Parties active in this process includes 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, and facilitated by Christopher Beck and Associates.  A Cordova Tourism Plan was adopted by the Cordova City Council in October, 2002.

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’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 office.

For specific visitor information for Cordova or the Copper Basin, please contact the local Chamber of Commerce.  Chamber websites accessible via the links below: