In 2020, 2.23 million visitors came to Alaska, Simpson said, with 30% of summer visitors going to the Kenai Peninsula.

Ten percent of Alaska visitors come from the international market, with China having the most growth potential, and German-speaking Europe maintaining a large market share.

Most visitors to the Kenai Peninsula are independent travelers, according to Simpson, but the cruise industry is growing tourism as more cruise ships make their way to different ports across the state, driving the growth of visitors to Alaska.

According to Simpson, cruise traffic across the Gulf of Alaska is up 15% and 2020 projects a 6% growth in cruise ship capacity with 606 voyages bringing 1.4 million visitors to the state.