Background

The USDA Forest Service is changing quickly. This important agency has been working hard to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to what was once a traditional governmental organization. Their Independent Resources Group asked Destination Analysts to help with an effort to study the feasibility of opening a remote and previously inaccessible section of Alaska’s Chugach National Forest to visitors. In conjunction with the Alaska Railroad Corporation, the Forest Service wanted to explore providing safe and environmentally controlled whistle-stop service at points along a train route through this remote wilderness.

Solution

Destination Analysts studied the problem and developed for the Forest Service a model to estimate to potential and likely visitor volume that could be generated by the service. We also conducted focus groups in Alaska and the lower 48 states to provide consumer feedback on all aspects of the business plan.

Results

The Whistle-stop service business plan is nearing completion, and the prospects for successful business model being implemented that both makes money for the Alaska Railroad and allows the Forest Service to cover its operation and maintenance costs is very promising. Destination Analysts unique expertise in visitor industry measurement helped the Forest Service in this first step toward implementing sophisticated business planning principles into its decision making structure.