Family-owned Alaskan travel businesses inspire confidence in the future.

In 1971, Tim MacDonald came to Ferbanx north to drive buses to Westers. Fifty years later, it was a nightmare for his nephew and his children to retire as CEO of a multi-million dollar bus company in southeast Alaska and Seattle.

Sixty years ago, Willie Porter followed in his father’s footsteps, fishing for Snug 12 west of Cook Inlet. Snug 12 was one of several cannery-owned boats that transported red salmon to Snug Harbor Cannery on Chisik Island. It was a dream come true for him and his children to buy a can of beer. Today, it is a haven for bears, fishing, and the desert.

Coincidentally, Miller’s grandfather owned a house near Seward in Lowell Point in the 1950s. After 70 years, did she think that her grandchildren would be in charge of recreation, including camps, huts, fishing charts, rental boats, and tour companies?

Dreams are powerful. Where you live can enhance your dreams and bring them to your attention. Alaska is amazing. Who does not like to show? Some entrepreneurs in the tourism industry have set up a family in Alaska.

Tim MacDonald spends 10 years at Ferbanx, the founder of Czech Westwest. West also said, “Mr. Alaska ”to pioneer the tourism industry with hotels, buses and small ships.

In addition to encouraging visitors to Alaska, MacDonald was also responsible for hiring people to work for the Westgate operation. This includes his nephew Dennis McDonald, who started his career as a bus mechanic.

The West Company was sold and both MacDonaldos went to other companies in the helicopter business. Along the way, Tim set up additional travel businesses, including a motorcycle tour company, and the first dog to skate.

“We called it trivial,” Tim said. “He had a helicopter, an ice rink and a dog slide. We once had 800 dogs.

But soon after, Dennis was hired to lead a bus company called Alaska Coach Tour, which was started by another driver. Dennis beats two of Tim’s children to help him in June and Scagway.

A.D. In 2015, Dennis, his relatives and co-workers bought a founding partner and retired to become CEO of Uncle Tim. Since then, Alaska coach visits have expanded to Seattle and Seattle. Recently, a joint venture between Doyon and Huna Totum-based corporations “Na-Dena” bought most of the shares.

“We are working on a variety of growth strategies,” said Dennis MacDonald, who plans to stay with the company. “We want to grow our strong team in a sustainable way – in the way the community wants it to be.”

Willie Porter sits next to a beach fire at the port of Snug, just as he spent all day fishing for Canary. This time, however, he saw the buildings that had been converted into modern kitchens and restrooms.

“We want to show people what we love about Alaska,” he said.

[Everyone loves to watch the Brooks River bears, but there are plenty of other prime viewing spots in Alaska]

Chisik Island is located west of Ninilchik Cook, a two-hour boat ride from Homer. If you stop and look at the whales along the way, it will take some time.

Willie and Jenny Porter, along with their twin sons, Eli and Abe, have been working for years to buy canoes for Sung. This is the second year that they have received guests.

When Elder Porter retires, Abe and Eli and their wives live in Niki, north of Kana. Their goal is to give Snug Harbor, the family heritage, more time and energy.

James Leslie was born and raised in Wrangell. His parents, Jim and Wilma Leslie, had seven floating wooden camps around southeast Alaska.

“I remember going to gangs,” he said. “The chefs always had big cookies.”

That all changed when Wrangell’s sawmill closed in 1995. “Wingel fell when the mill was closed,” says James.

James’ father, Jim, was a tourist and boatman. Alaska Waters was established in 1997. “During those years, he served on the Ports Commission and the City Council to push Wangle into tourism,” he said.

“I started sailing boats when I was nine years old,” says James. “Before that, I ran with the local boys in our small boats of 8 to 25 horsepower.”

It takes Alaska water travelers by jet to the Stein River, the Leconte Glacier, and the Anna Bear Observatory. The company offers a number of tours to show off the main Shakes Island and the Petroglif coast.

James Leslie has more than 20 on the company’s payroll. “They’re all locals – and half of them were born here,” he said.

After being elected president earlier this year, James said he enjoys a modern lifestyle. “I worked for 21 years. “I am confident that tourism will be a sustainable and sustainable industry.”

Miller’s accommodation is located at Lowell Point, on the shores of Easter Bay, south of Seward.

“I never did anything in the summer except work at Miller’s Resort,” says Chancel Miller.

“This year the company will be 40 years old. I’m not 40 yet,” he said.

“After Grandma left home, my dad bought a nearby property. “People started appearing and they wanted to go to camp.”

Chan’s parents Mike and Sherry Miller founded the company in 1982.

Today, Miller Airport operates water taxis at all Easter Bay. The company offers fishing charts on several boats. There are also rental boats and kayaks, as well as camping sites, cab rentals and kayak tours and rentals.

Chan and his brother Tom After retiring in 2012, he ran the company. “I follow the instructions and manage the boat,” says Chance. Tom runs water taxis, operations and many administrative jobs.

When a 3-year-old is asked if he can one day run a business, chances are philosophical.

“I don’t know if running the business would be an option,” he said. “The value for me is to be able to teach my kids something on a boat or in a canoe. And we can do things. And (he) knows how to fish!”

[If you’re going to fly out of Alaska this summer, expect to pay big bucks]

The families we mentioned four years ago are still working together in the visitor industry.

In addition to the lodge outside Fairbank, Robert Sheeldon, a member of Shelden Chalet, is still building a luxury resort on the Dinali slope. When asked if he had any plans to pursue a career in business, he replied: “We already have a plan.

Colin Estefanos, a staff member at Stan Stephen Cruz in Valdez, said that all his colleagues were locals. “We have a mother / son, uncles / brothers and sisters. There were four sisters working for us in one family. That’s a commitment,” said Colin.

Every business is different. But having a family-based business that includes members of other generations builds confidence. The goal of the best businesses in the tourism industry is to give visitors and visitors a good time in Alaska – so they come back.