Wizerunek Alaski a rozwój ekoturystyki i eksploatacja zasobów naturalnych .......... 47

Alaska is perceived as one of the last “wild” areas of North America, with its image strongly rooted in the idea of pristine nature and sustainable development. At the same time, the state remains a site of intensive natural resource exploitation, driven by economic and political interests. This paradox calls into question the actual extent of environmental protection in the region. The article analyzes legal compromises and marketing campaigns developed over the years that sought to reconcile environmental concerns with resource extraction, or the development of so-called ecotourism with the promotion of the region’s Indigenous cultures. Through the analysis of official documents, political statements, promotional materials, and a case study of the Denali National Park, the article reveals numerous contradictions between the proclaimed environmental commitments and their actual implementation. The aim of the article is to highlight the challenges in balancing nature conservation and economic interests in a region like Alaska.