According to Kathy Tarr, executive director of the Kenai Visitors and Convention Bureau, between May and September 1999, the visitor center had 54,056 visitors. Tarr also said that more people are traveling in 2000, and the number of inquiries her organization has received have dramatically increased. In January 1999, the bureau's Web site had 884 visits. According to the Kenai Visitors and Convention Bureau's guest book, the top five locations where Kenai visitors come from are California, Florida, Texas, Alaska and Washington. Justine Polzin, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber's membership is swinging toward the tourist industry.
Interesting thing is that number is no e-mail.
Comparing 1996 with 1999 showed a marked difference. In 1999, we sent out almost 4,900 pieces of information. E-mail has made a huge impact. The bulk of requests for information come from California, Texas, Washington, Minnesota and Florida. In order to do its part to promote the winter seasons, the Soldotna Visitor Information Center has extended its Monday through Friday hours to also include Saturday.