Applications for AGA Certification

AGA is now accepting applications for spring, 2012.

Businesses may submit a complete application, background materials, and application fee on or before April 1, 2012.  

Moroccan tourism officials visit with AGA to learn about sustainability.

On September 14th - 18th, 2011, the Department of Interior's Office of International Affairs is hosting a delegation from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism which is interested in learning more about certification and sustainability from AGA. To see the press release, click on Press Releases under In the News.

New York Times profiles AGA gold-level business!

After discovering Kodiak Treks on the AGA website, journalist Ted O'Callahan and photographer Kim Hubbard took a trip to Kodiak. Read about their visit and the subsequent New York Times article by clicking on In the News.

AGA announces new section for "accommodations."

The heart of sustainability is protecting the environment upon which Alaskans and Alaska tourism companies depend. To make the Environment section more relevant to the broad spectrum of tourism businesses, AGA now offers two questionnaire "tracks," one for accommodations and one for attractions and tour operators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Spotlight

Spirit Walker Expeditions is a local, guide-owned and operated business based in Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay. For the last 24 years, they have taken the leading role in offering sustainable guided sea kayaking expeditions throughout Southeast Alaska.

Having been built upon the ethic of offering premium trips with a thoughtful approach, Spirit Walker continues to make environmental stewardship and respectful wildlife viewing top priorities while being a positive and contributing member of Gustavus and the surrounding communities. Their trips take a natural approach – from the locally sourced food served on trips to selecting hardened tent-sites and hiking routes – and are designed to offer visitors a chance to make a lasting connection with their surroundings in the most organic way possible. Local trips - such as their Wilderness Isles adventure - are designed to provide an entirely human-powered experience by paddling to a nearby Wilderness area, hiking through 10,000 year old forests, and returning by kayak.

The key to doing this successfully is their staff. Each guide participates in annual natural history, safety, and wilderness medicine training with local experts, and is encouraged to use the company's bikes, wall-tent housing, and of course kayaks! Many of their guides have been leading trips and exploring the area for several years - 4, 8, 10, 20, 24 years - and many are owners of the company!

Find out more about Spirit Walker’s environmental stewardship and approach to offering sustainable wilderness trips!

Adventure Green Alaska: Tourism Certification Program

Your guide to sustainable tourism in Alaska!

Are you thinking about a trip to Alaska but want to use tourism businesses that care for the environment, are sensitive to Alaska's Native cultures and rural way of life, and are good community citizens? Are you confused by the multitude of companies that describe their business as "green" or "ecotourism"? We created Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) for people like you.

AGA is a certification program for tourism businesses operating in Alaska that meet specific standards of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Administered by an independent, Alaska nonprofit corporation, AGA encourages tourism businesses to evaluate their operations and determine whether they use - or could be using - best management practices. Businesses may qualify for Gold, Silver, or Bronze Level certification, earning the right to use the AGA logo and participate in AGA promotional activities.

The businesses certified by AGA are leaders in the tourism industry. They are progressive companies that believe that outstanding Alaska experiences can also be sustainable. To learn more about these companies:

Traveling Green: Comments from certified businesses at the 2010 conference of the Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association