"Alaska tourism"

The area’s finalized improvement plan includes a new visitor center, more parking, an expanded trail system and more.

Even some business owners felt Juneau was at capacity this year.

The more visitors use public Wi-Fi, the more space there is on cell networks for locals.

The year before the pandemic, Alaska set record numbers for cruise ship tourism. This year, it’s estimated Juneau will see about 10% of its usual cruise traffic.

Juneau residents have mixed feelings about the ship’s arrival amid an uptick an COVID-19 cases, but for the most part, the feeling at the dock and inside downtown businesses on Friday was one of hope. 

After a year without tourists, Park Director Philip Hooge says there are moths flying out of his checkbook.

The bill gives Alaska-bound cruise ships, nearly all of which are foreign-flagged and have foreign crew, a temporary pass from the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

As the summer approaches, Alaska’s travel industry is preparing for another uncertain pandemic season.

Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata acknowledged the summer season, usually worth an estimated $160 million, is going to be radically different. But he said Skagway is going to make it through another year.

It’s the latest blow to Skagway’s tourism-dependent economy, after the Canadian government announced cruise ships will not be welcome in its waters until 2022.