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.)