Explore Skagway Renews Adventure Green Alaska Certification for Sustainable Tourism Leadership
The Municipality of Skagway’s Visitor Department, also known as Explore Skagway, is proud to announce the renewal of its Adventure Green Alaska Certification — Alaska’s only sustainable tourism certification program. The certification recognizes organizations that demonstrate strong commitments to responsible tourism practices, environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and community wellbeing.
As Skagway’s official destination marketing and management organization, Explore Skagway works to ensure tourism continues to support the community, local businesses, and the long-term health of the destination. Adventure Green Alaska standards align with the internationally recognized Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental and cultural responsibility.
Tourism Director Jaime Bricker said the renewed certification reflects years of intentional collaboration and community-focused work.
“Earning Adventure Green Alaska certification reflects years of intentional work by the Skagway Visitor Department to help ensure that tourism in Skagway remains vibrant, responsible, and sustainable for generations to come.”
Bricker added that Explore Skagway’s team remains deeply committed to supporting local businesses, protecting the environment, honoring the Indigenous history and cultures of Shg̱agwei, and helping visitors better understand responsible travel in Southeast Alaska.
What Sustainable Tourism Means in Skagway
Explore Skagway’s sustainability efforts extend far beyond marketing. The department works closely with local government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, tribal partners, and regional organizations to help balance visitor experiences with resident quality of life.
As a founding partner of Skagway’s Tourism Best Management Practices Program (TBMP), Explore Skagway helps coordinate collaborative solutions related to tourism management, visitor education, environmental stewardship, and community concerns. Recent initiatives have included resident sentiment surveys, Broadway traffic studies, visitor information surveys, and destination management reporting to better understand tourism impacts and opportunities.
The department also continues investing in local economic vitality by promoting every licensed tourism-related business equally through Skagway.com and the annual visitor guide. Additional programs include community clean-up events, workforce development training, support for nonprofit events, internships, and annual photo and video contests that encourage local participation and storytelling.
Stewardship of the Environment
Environmental stewardship remains central to Explore Skagway’s mission. Through educational campaigns and partnerships, visitors are encouraged to reduce waste, respect wildlife, and travel responsibly while exploring Lingít Aani — the traditional homeland of the Chilkoot Tlingit people.
Explore Skagway collaborates with the Municipality’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Public Works Department to support composting, recycling, and waste reduction initiatives, including Skagway’s state-of-the-art solid waste processing facility. Community outreach efforts such as Harvest Week and Tourism Best Management Practices messaging help reduce human-wildlife conflicts and encourage responsible visitor behavior.
The department also supported multiple nominations for the ALPAR Awards recognizing Skagway organizations for their environmental leadership and litter prevention efforts.
Honoring Alaska Native Culture and History
Located on Lingít Aani, Explore Skagway continues working to ensure visitors receive accurate and respectful interpretation of Alaska Native history, culture, and Gold Rush heritage.
Through partnerships with Skagway Traditional Council, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and the Skagway Museum, Explore Skagway helps provide cultural education opportunities and responsible storytelling throughout the visitor experience. Tourism Director Jaime Bricker also serves on the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s Cultural Enrichment Committee and teaches Cultural Host Training programs focused on Alaska Native cultural literacy and respectful tourism practices.
Looking Ahead
As part of its renewed certification, Explore Skagway has outlined several sustainability goals for the coming years. These include expanding shoulder-season visitation, increasing workforce development opportunities, reducing visitor-generated waste, promoting wildlife-safe practices, and increasing Indigenous storytelling visibility through Skagway.com and community partnerships.
By continuing to invest in sustainable tourism practices, Explore Skagway hopes to help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the extraordinary landscapes, cultures, businesses, and community spirit that make Skagway such a special place to visit and call home.
