What Is the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act?

By Robert Palmer

The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act was signed into law by President Biden on May 24, 2021, as a way to help revive the struggling tourism industry in Alaska. This act allows foreign-flagged cruise ships to bypass the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) and sail directly from the United States to Alaska without stopping in Canada.

Background

Before the pandemic, Alaska’s tourism industry relied heavily on foreign-flagged cruise ships that would stop in Canadian ports before continuing on to Alaskan ports. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Canada banned all cruise ship traffic until February 2022. This ban left Alaskan communities that rely on tourism revenue in a dire situation.

The Impact of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act

With the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, foreign-flagged cruise ships can now sail directly from Washington state to Alaska without making a stop in Canada. This means that Alaskan communities will once again receive much-needed tourism revenue.

Benefits of the Act

  • The act will create jobs within the tourism industry.
  • It will provide a boost to local economies that rely on tourism.
  • Cruise lines will be able to plan and operate cruises with more certainty.

Concerns About the Act

Some people are concerned about how this act will impact Canadian ports that normally receive revenue from cruise ship traffic. Additionally, there are environmental concerns about increased traffic in Alaskan waters.

The Future of Alaskan Tourism

While the passage of this act is certainly good news for many Alaskans, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on overall tourism numbers. Many people are still wary of traveling due to COVID-19 concerns, and it is uncertain how quickly the industry will recover.

Conclusion

The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act provides a glimmer of hope for struggling Alaskan communities that rely on tourism revenue. By allowing foreign-flagged cruise ships to sail directly to Alaska without stopping in Canada, the act will create jobs and provide an economic boost to local economies.

However, concerns remain about how this act may impact Canadian ports and the environment. Only time will tell how this act will ultimately impact Alaskan tourism.