The Klondike Visitors Association was born in 1952 when a group of enthusiastic Dawson City residents decided to dress up in Gold Rush era costumes and greet a group of visitors arriving from Whitehorse on an old paddlewheeler. Their welcome was so well-received that they continued with their colourful greetings, and soon organized themselves into the Klondike Tourist Bureau. They began giving tours of the town and gold fields and hosting "Klondike Nights" at the Palace Grand Theatre. The proceeds from the Klondike Nights were used to create the first tourism pamphlets in the Yukon.

The group changed their name to the Klondike Visitors Association in 1960, and carried on with a variety of initiatives to boost visitation to Dawson City. Today, the Klondike Visitors Association operates Diamond Tooth Gerties, a non-profit casino, and continues in their mission to promote tourism to the region. They also operate the Jack London Cabin and Museum, and Free Claim Number 6, as well as several popular events including the International Outhouse Race and the Authors on Eighth Writing Contest and Walking Tour. In addition, The Klondike Visitors Association supports local organizations through a community grants program, and community casino fundraising nights held throughout the winter season.