How Visit Sitka Guides Visitors and Cuts Costs With an Offline Tourism App
July 14, 2025
The Challenge: Limited Signal, High Costs, and Content Overload
Visit Sitka, the destination marketing organization for one of Alaska’s most scenic and remote communities, faced a common problem:
Cell coverage was unreliable, leaving visitors lost or under-informed
Print maps and brochures were expensive and outdated quickly
Local business listings were tough to maintain across websites and publications
There wasn’t a central, visitor-friendly tool that worked both before and during the trip
The Solution: An Offline Tourism App With AI-Powered Listings
In 2024, Visit Sitka partnered with Driftscape to launch an offline tourism app that helped visitors explore independently while cutting back on printed material and admin time.
With Driftscape’s platform, Sitka could:
Let visitors navigate without Wi-Fi or signal
Add stories and interpretation to over 100 points of interest
Automatically populate 112 local business listings using AI
Make updates instantly via a user-friendly content management system
Bring digital navigation to trade shows, trip planning, and on-site exploration
This tool became part of Sitka’s core digital strategy, solving both technical and operational gaps.
The Challenge: Limited Signal, High Costs, and Content Overload
Visit Sitka, the destination marketing organization for one of Alaska’s most scenic and remote communities, faced a common problem:
Cell coverage was unreliable, leaving visitors lost or under-informed
Print maps and brochures were expensive and outdated quickly
Local business listings were tough to maintain across websites and publications
There wasn’t a central, visitor-friendly tool that worked both before and during the trip
The Solution: An Offline Tourism App With AI-Powered Listings
In 2024, Visit Sitka partnered with Driftscape to launch an offline tourism app that helped visitors explore independently while cutting back on printed material and admin time.
With Driftscape’s platform, Sitka could:
Let visitors navigate without Wi-Fi or signal
Add stories and interpretation to over 100 points of interest
Automatically populate 112 local business listings using AI
Make updates instantly via a user-friendly content management system
Bring digital navigation to trade shows, trip planning, and on-site exploration
This tool became part of Sitka’s core digital strategy, solving both technical and operational gaps.
How Driftscape Helped
Browser-based access for app-shy visitors, plus offline GPS content for low-wifi areas
AI-powered business directory that stays fresh automatically and gives equal visibility to 112 local businesses
Self-guided “Museum Mile” tour that guides visitors to museums and attractions near Sitka’s core
Choose-your-own-adventure structure with no set route or fixed order
Real-time content control so staff can update locations, hours, and messages instantly
Visitor analytics to track engagement and improve programming, including 3,236 POI views
Streamlined staff management: once launched, the experience ran with minimal effort and no full-time coordinator
Results That Mattered
Over the first 12 months:
3,236 POI views, with peak usage during the June to August tourism season
Top locations visited in-app: Museum Mile, Sitka National Historical Park, Russian Bishop’s House, and Fortress of the Bear
112 business listings synced automatically through the AI Business Directory
Print costs reduced as the app became the go-to visitor resource
App content used for both trip planning and FAM tours
Why the AI Business Directory Worked
Sitka’s team didn’t have to manage hundreds of listings by hand. Instead, they shared a list of business names and Driftscape’s AI filled in the rest by sourcing accurate info from trusted public listings. The team can still make changes anytime through the CMS, from hours to images and descriptions.
This made it easy to support the local economy without dedicating hours of staff time or technical know-how.
"I highly recommend Driftscape; its versatility and customer support have been instrumental in realizing our destination’s digital tourism goals."
— Victoria, Visit Sitka
Takeaways for Tourism Professionals
Visit Sitka shows how even small, remote destinations can use a digital tourism platform to create big impact:
Empower visitors anywhere: Offline GPS tours mean travelers stay engaged, even where wifi drops.
Support local business: An AI-powered directory gave visibility to 112 businesses without extra staff effort.
Enhance cultural storytelling: The “Museum Mile” self-guided tour brought Sitka’s heritage and attractions to life in a flexible, choose-your-own-adventure format.
Work smarter, not harder: Automatic updates and analytics cut down on manual workload while giving staff real insights to shape future programming.
Ready to Help Visitors Explore, Even Without Signal?
Use Driftscape to launch an offline tourism app that guides visitors, promotes local businesses, and simplifies content management with AI-powered tools.
Want to see how the AI Business Directory keeps listings fresh without manual upkeep? Explore the Feature
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