For travelers who can’t make it to Alaska right now, Midgi Moore says she will come to you. With COVID-19 shutting down most cruise and car access to her state, Moore, CEO of Juneau Food Tours, introduced a new product to sustain her business.
“It’s a food tour in a box called Taste Alaska!” Moore says. “Each box is filled with Alaska goodies, such as smoked salmon, spruce tip caramels, and a locally sourced herbal tea, along with artwork from a local photographer. We also include trip-planning information so that folks can still plan their dream vacation to the Last Frontier.”
Moore’s boxes are sold individually or by annual subscription, which provides a box for each season. After announcing her new product in April, Moore said that by late June she had shipped about 80 boxes, with several customers purchasing annual subscriptions.
“Alaska is a tasty state for sure, and I’m having a lot of fun researching products and themes for the boxes,” she says. “I’m so encouraged by how people are eager to have Alaska delivered to them and how they are still excited to plan their vacations.”
Along with Taste Alaska!, Moore has expanded her business by partnering with a fellow food-tour operator based in Oakland, California, and on June 15 the two launched Global Tours Connect, an online marketplace for tours.
“Tour companies can list their tours with us, and we will market them through GTC to help sell them,” Moore says. “It’s an OTA … albeit a small one.”
Moore reports a quiet summer for tourism in Alaska so far. “A few tour companies have reopened, though, and I opened on July 1 for private tours only,” she says. “Travel Alaska and Travel Juneau are promoting staycations to Alaska residents, and I’m getting a little business from independent travelers.”
Moore is hoping for a rebound in 2021, and in the meantime, she’s focusing on her new revenue streams.
To get details, email Moore or visit juneaufoodtours.com.
Top photo by Juneau Food Tours
