'Escape to Alaska or Bust' Essay Contest Offers Chance to Win Big

Alaska Wildland Adventures: Win an Eight-Day Alaska Vacation for Four

GIRDWOOD, Alaska, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In an uncertain economy, many
people are thinking twice about vacation plans. Local ecotourism operator
Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA) is offering a solution for would-be
travelers: write the winning essay in AWA's "Escape to Alaska or Bust" Essay
Contest and win a free Eight-Day Alaska Wildland Adventure for four, valued at
over $12,000. For AWA President Kirk Hoessle, the contest is a great way to
highlight the state of Alaska as a premium destination.

"I know from personal experience, and from watching visitors interact with
wild Alaska for the past 30 years we've been running our trips, Alaska is the
perfect place to refresh your spirit and renew your sense of wonder," said
Hoessle. "We feel great to be in the position to give such a trip away, and
some lucky family will have the trip of a lifetime."

As of April 20, 2009, the contest is open to any group of four - or, as the
official rules state, a group of five participants may be considered if the
entry is "really, really special." In 500 words or less, contestants must
convince AWA's panel of judges why their group is most deserving of the trip;
entries will be considered based on a variety of criteria, including
originality, creativity, and educational and/or entertainment value.

"We're giving away a great value with a trip for four for over a week, so
let's make them work for it!" said Hoessle. "Let's give the gift of Alaska to
the family or group of friends that has the most compelling story."

A group photo must also accompany the essay, both of which may be submitted on
the contest website at www.alaskatripcontest.com. Entries will then be posted
on the site, where contestants may review their competition, and web viewers
will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite entries.

Five second-place winners will receive a 40 percent savings on any AWA trip,
and ten third-place winners will receive 20 percent off. Up to 30 additional
finalists will be eligible for 10 percent savings on AWA's selection of tours,
which range from two-hour scenic floats on the Kenai River to two-week guided
naturalist safaris.

The first-place winner can look forward to a comprehensive tour of the Kenai
Peninsula, inclusive of all accommodations, meals, ground transportation and
activities - such as rafting the Kenai River, kayaking on a glacially-carved
lake and naturalist hikes in protected lands.

"This trip goes to some of my favorite places in Alaska, and it's no
coincidence that our company has lodges in each area," said Hoessle. The
eight-day itinerary includes stays at Kenai Riverside Lodge as well as the
award-winning Kenai Backcountry Lodge - but, according to Hoessle, "since
we're launching our newest lodge this summer, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, I'd
have to say that this will be the highlight of the trip."

The new lodge will be the first of its kind within Kenai Fjords National Park,
and will offer unprecedented access to this protected area of Alaska's
seacoast. A stay at the remote Glacier Lodge includes a narrated marine
wildlife and glacier cruise of the Park, and upon arrival guests may enjoy
guided sea kayaking, hikes, and great views of Pedersen Glacier from the lodge
deck.

The full Eight-Day Alaska Wildland Adventure itinerary is posted online at
www.alaskatripcontest.com/prizes.htm. The contest will be open to entries from
April 20 to May 22, 2009; AWA plans to have a winner selected and posted on
the contest website by June 5, 2009.

This is the first such contest for Alaska Wildland Adventures, which has
operated exclusively in small-group Alaska travel since 1977.

For more information on Alaska Wildland Adventures, please visit
www.alaskawildland.com.

SOURCE Alaska Wildland Adventures

Heather Dudick of Alaska Wildland Adventures, 1-800-334-8730,
heather@alaska-wildland.com