The Alaska state legislature seems close to approving $6 million in funding for an emergency tourism marketing effort, intended to avert what could be an economic disaster this summer for thousands of Alaskans who depend on the tourism industry.

Tourism leaders are seriously worried because advance bookings for many small operators are 40 to 50 percent below normal. It's an effect of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which caused many Americans to be wary of travel, particularly by air.

http://www.adn.com/business/story/770336p-822138c.html

A proposal to give $2 million to the state's tourism industry for an emergency marketing campaign is again in doubt in the state Senate.

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