* Travel to Alaska is soaring; Alaska's 15 national parks set a record for visits in 2004, with just under 2.3 million
* Tourism in Alaska overall was up an estimated 11 percent in 2004
* Alaskan cruises are increasingly popular; in 2004, there were 876,000 passengers from May to September
* Unlike traditional guides, this book focuses on outdoor adventures for the general traveler who wants to explore and perhaps even venture off the beaten path
* The book is organized not by destination but by interests (driving tours, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, etc.)
Melissa DeVaughn