Each year when May rolls around, Alaskan tourism operations eagerly await the first visitors of the summer season. This year, CIRI's tourism businesses are following suit with expanded operations to exciting new destinations and custom packages and itineraries.   Alaska Heritage Tours CIRI's new tourism subsidiary, Alaska Heritage Tours, specializes in offering Alaska visitors custom one- to seven-day packages to several of the state's most spectacular destinations. Visits to Denali National Park, Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park are packaged with transportation, accommodations and a choice of activities to please the "independent, soft adventure" traveler.   Alaska's Grand Explorer Tours provide visitors the opportunity to experience each of the spectacular destinations. Alaska's Byways Tours take visitors from Kenai Fjords National Park up through the state all the way to Fairbanks with an option to continue on to Prudhoe Bay. And Alaska's Best Tours offer shorter excursions focused on one of the spectacular destinations. While a selection of tour packages is offered, each schedule can be customized to fit any pace, style and budget.

Kenai Fjords Tours Kenai Fjords Tours kicked off its summer season with the Gray Whale Watch Tour. On May 8, rail service began between Anchorage and Seward aboard the Wildlife Express. The private dome car provides a fully narrated tour along the Turnagain Arm and through mountain valleys to Seward.   Once in Seward, visitors can choose between a selection of nine wildlife and glacier cruises ranging in length from three hours around Resurrection Bay to nine and a half hours on a northwestern fjord cruise.   Several of the tours also include a stop on Fox Island for an exclusive grilled salmon lunch or overnight excursions and optional day activities including kayaking and hiking.

The 26th Annual Meeting of CIRI Shareholders is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 1999, in Anchorage. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for CIRI shareholders to hear a report on business operations for the previous year, and of course to elect five directors to the CIRI board.   This year the board-endorsed slate of candidates includes two new candidates, Sharon L. Isaak and Ron G. Perry, as well as three incumbents, B. Agnes Brown, A. Debbie Fullenwider and Robert N. Woodhead. All candidates for the board will be invited to speak at the meeting.   The annual meeting returns to Anchorage after being held in Soldotna, Alaska in 1997 and the Seattle/Tacoma, Washington area in 1998. The location of the annual meeting is rotated each year between Anchorage, Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, and the Pacific Northwest to give shareholders living within and outside Alaska an opportunity to attend in person.   "Until we began this rotating policy, many shareholders had never had the opportunity to attend

the annual meeting in person," said Carl Marrs, President and CEO.   The meetings in Soldotna and Washington state were well received by shareholders in these areas. This year's meeting location ­ at the Sullivan Arena ­ will provide shareholders living in Southcentral Alaska another opportunity to participate in person.   "We're pleased to be back in Anchorage," said Marrs. "The board members and I look forward to seeing those who can attend in person and thank all who attend by proxy."   Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 5. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and shareholder registration will close at 1 p.m.   In addition to formal business, door prize drawings will be held for prizes throughout the day and a variety of informational booths will be on display. An interpreter will also be provided for the deaf and hearing impaired.