Tucked along the turquoise banks of Alaska’s Kenai River, Alaska Troutfitters is a family-owned fishing lodge and a living example of how inland communities can play a role in ocean conservation. At the very headwaters of one of the most iconic salmon rivers on Earth, the team knows that what happens upstream doesn’t stay upstream.
Please tell us about your hotel. What makes it a special destination for your guests, and how is your location connected to the ocean?
Year after year, we see repeat clientele who tell us the same thing: "We love it here because we can tell you love it here." Troutfitters is well known in the area for having a team of people who care deeply about the area – beyond just the fishing or the view. Most of our employees have worked here many seasons, or even decades. They know the history of the Kenai River deeply and understand the importance of long-term environmental conservation.
What Ocean Friendly practices does your hotel have in place? What sets your hotel apart in terms of its commitment to sustainability and ocean health in particular?
At Alaska Troutfitters, we take concrete steps to minimize our environmental footprint. We provide reusable shampoo, conditioner, and soap dispensers in our lodge rooms, preventing waste from single-use plastics. Our cleaning products are eco-friendly and avoid harmful chemicals that could pollute our waterways. We’ve chosen colored linens for the lodge, which not only give a cozy feel, but also eliminates the need for bleach. These practices, along with our focus on educating guests about conservation, set us apart in our commitment to sustainability.
Why did you decide to join Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Hotels program?
Our Operations Manager, who is a dedicated volunteer with the Surfrider Kenai Peninsula Chapter, brought the Ocean Friendly Hotels program to our attention. We’ve been involved in river conservation for years, inspired by our founder, Curt Muse, who is a pioneer in trout conservation. This program felt like a natural extension of our ongoing efforts.
Why do you think it’s important for the hospitality industry to prioritize sustainability? What role can you see the industry playing in protecting our ocean?
Sustainability is vital for the hospitality industry, especially in Alaska, where tourism is a cornerstone of our economy. By adopting sustainable practices, we ensure that both the environment and our livelihoods are preserved for future generations. Hotels and lodges across the state have the power to influence thousands of guests each year, promoting eco-friendly behaviors and raising awareness about environmental issues, including ocean conservation!
What advice do you have for other hotels looking to become more sustainable and may be considering joining the Ocean Friendly Hotels program?
It's not as daunting as it seems! Sustainability can often feel like an all-or-nothing approach, but little changes can make a big difference, particularly for lodges like ours that have been here for decades and will continue to be here for decades. Over time, even small adjustments can see major progress.
Can you share a guest story or piece of feedback you’ve received about your sustainability efforts?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen a change in turnover procedures, particularly in encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens that might otherwise be cleaned daily. We've received great feedback on the change, particularly considering many of our guests are looking for a remote stay and would prefer not to interact with a housekeeper every day.
Improving operational sustainability is always an evolutionary journey of refining best practices. Can you share anything you’re currently working on or other sustainable practices you’re hoping to implement in the future?
A big part of our sustainability efforts here at Troutfitters lies in educating people that visit the Kenai about the ecosystem and the importance of conservation. Alongside the lodge, we run guided fishing trips and a scenic tour charter, and we are working on creating a more formalized educational component to all of our trips, particularly the scenic tours. Guests spend several hours on the river, and we aim to use this time to teach them about the plants, animals, and conservation efforts that make the Kenai River so unique. Additionally, we’re developing easy-to-understand materials about the Kenai Peninsula’s ecosystem and its connection to the ocean, which will be available in each lodge room.
Have you noticed any cost savings from replacing disposable hotel products with a more reusable option?
Yes! Per season, we used to spend $138.60 per season on individually packaged 2-in-1 conditioning shampoo, and $70.46 on bars of soap in plastic packaging. Now, we spend only $54 on shampoo, $54 on conditioner, and $54 on soap per season. We went from $209.06 down to $162.00 for overall savings of $47.06 per season. That means we cut our toiletry costs by 22%, even while adding conditioner and improving overall guest experience. All of this was recently shared in a new case study on our cost savings.
Anything else you want to share?
Though we may be upriver from some, we know that all roads lead to the ocean. Our sockeye runs are heavily impacted by what happens in the Cook Inlet, and our trout population alongside that. I hope that our lodge being located so far inland is not considered an outlier in the Ocean Friendly Hotels Program, but rather a reminder of how huge a role the health of the ocean plays in every aspect of our lives and our world, no matter how far removed you may think you are. Anywhere there is water – salt or fresh – there is evidence of the ocean and, in that, proof of the need for sustainability.
