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Compared to Europe, a big problem relating tourism is that both North American States, especially the regions in the north of the continent, do not have a great amount of historicity - simply because they are too young. Actually regions like Alaska or the Yukon Territory wouldn't have any significant historical meaning at all if there hasn't been the gold rush of 1898 - and people working in the tourist industry are aware of this fact. Paired with the unique beauty and wilderness of the land they understand it perfectly to attract tourists from all over the world. Basically you can divide between two types of visitors that come to the Yukon: There are those who are more interested in enjoying the untouched nature, sightseeing and visiting museums or exhibitions. The other group could be described as adventurers who follow the track of the Stampeders hundred years ago.
The "Enjoyers"
According to the official data provided by the Tourism Industry Resource Center (TIRC) of the Yukon Territory, the majority of visitors belonging to this group comes from within Canada or the United States. Generally speaking they are older than the average and can afford more expensive trips. An example therefore would be the sea voyage trough the inside passage: Always more of the international cruise ships take the Inside passage from Vancouver (BC) to Skagway (AK) into their route and there hardly passes a day without a huge cruise ship anchoring in Skagway, "The heart of the Gold Rush Country." What a European would probably describe as kitsch is a historic sight for many Americans. The small town, actually consisting of only one main street leading from the harbor to the other ending, depends so deeply on tourism that its inhabitants are requested to wear cloths of the gold rush time.
This group is also more interested in visiting museums, practically all of them dealing with the stampede to the Klondike. One of the most popular sights is the "SS Klondike National Historic Sight" - a preserved stern wheeler boat standing in Whitehorse (YT).
The Adventurers
Stories about the gold rush and the desire of adventures attract many people to visit the Yukon. Statistics show that the majority of European visitors, especially from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, belong to this group.
One of the favorite activities is to paddle down the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson, experiencing the spirit of gold rush.
Morale in Dawson was at an all-time low in 1952, when the gold mining industry was in a slump and more and more citizens left the "Queen City of the North". Many of the old buildings dilapidated over the years but that's exactly what creates the certain flair of an old gold mining town and although there only live about 2000 people in Dawson City today it is noted on every map of the world. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 led to the construction of the Alaska Highway which also passes Dawson City. This was the bedrock of a constantly evolving tourism and today there are more than 60.000 visitors coming each year to a town, where one hundred years later, gold remains the main attraction and the main topic of conversation. Many come to retrace the steps of the gold rush pioneers, part of the reason why the population swells to 5000 in the summer, and there are still some large-scale mining operations along the Klondike and the Bonanza Creek.
In 1989 the region spreading from Skagway to Dawson celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the gold rush. A 2-person team race from Dyea to Dawson, sled dog races, gold panning and other events filled the schedule. Although it seems like every little nail used during those glory days gets merchandised as a part of history, the Klondike region will never loose its unique, golden charm.
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