WCA contracts with marketing firm to help develop tourism strategy

(Marc Lutz/Wrangell Sentinel)

Jonathon Dawe

Wrangell Sentinel

What’s working well right now for WCA tourism efforts? What could be improved upon? These were the primary questions asked by the tribal council’s contractor at a public session at the Nolan Center on June 26.

Paradise Advertising & Marketing was selected by the WCA to help develop a comprehensive three-year business strategy for expanding its tourism efforts. The partnership will be served by Paradise team members based in Florida and Oregon. The June 26 meeting was set to hear ideas from tribal members about sustainable tourism.

During a presentation by Paradise staff, WCA assets were listed as people/culture/heritage, Chief Shakes House, Totem Park and Garnet Ledge. The company also identified multiple Wrangell attractions, such as the Anan Wildlife Observatory, Shakes Glacier and multiple outdoor activities.

WCA President Ed Rilatos quickly identified the carving shed on Front Street as being a big draw for tourists who arrive aboard cruise ships.

“We need to train more speakers and develop apprenticeships (for storytellers),” Rilatos said.

Tribal member Solvay Gillen remarked that she had, at one point, been part of a dancing group for the tribe.

“It basically dissolved,” she noted. “I think that if we could advertise it and have regular practices, we could get something together for tourists to enjoy.”

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracey Martin said she believes there should be a steady flow of information available to local youth so they can be involved in tribal activities that might also help with tourism efforts.

“It would also help to have some kind of gift shop,” Martin stated. “Tourists constantly ask me about where they can purchase Indigenous products. I think having a gift shop would be really helpful.”

While in town, Paradise President Rudy Webb and Account Executive Sarah Cooley met with individuals, including business owners and elected officials, to try and get a better understanding of what the community at large believes about tourism efforts.

“We really feel like Wrangell is a very genuine and unique place,” Webb remarked. “It’s such a charming community. We just need to help you figure out how to let more people know about it.”

WCA Tourism Coordinator Ed Caum said the tribal council would review the report after it’s submitted by Paradise and reconvene on the matter in August.

“We’re going to treat this process as a business initiative,” Caum said. “Hopefully, we’ll see implementation of different ideas within three years.

”We’ll be consistently asking: Are we hurting anyone? Are we supporting our culture? Are we meeting our objectives? Whatever we decide to pursue, it must be something sustainable.”

• This story originally appeared in the Wrangell Sentinel.