Juneau’s residents are divided over whether to embrace the economic benefits of millions of visitors, or reclaim their town from an industry that has reshaped it
||| FROM THE GUARDIAN |||
“The noise never stops,” says Karla Hart, her voice competing with the hum of approaching helicopters. “I can feel them before I see them.” She looks at her phone to check a website that monitors air traffic and identifies operators. Hart wants to know whether the pilots are adhering to legal flight routes.
A few minutes later, five helicopters, flying in formation, crisscross the grey October skies above Hart’s home in Juneau, Alaska’s capital. “I get groups of two to five helicopters flying over my house every 20 minutes. On any given day, that adds up to 50 to 75 flights. It’s impossible to enjoy my garden or concentrate on work.”
For Hart and other Juneau residents, the noise from helicopters shuttling cruise tourists to remote glaciers is one of the many reminders of how their lives are being upended by a city that has embraced industrial tourism.
Juneau is one of the US’s most remote towns, accessible only by air or sea. The waters surrounding it are the traditional fishing grounds of Alaska’s Indigenous communities. It is wedged between towering mountains and the Gastineau Channel, a dramatic vista for more than 1.5 million cruise passengers who visit annually. Juneau was historically reliant on timber and gold, but as those industries have declined, the city now depends on tourism and government sector jobs.
Cruise season runs from April to October, with as many as five vessels docking daily in the heart of the historic district. Ships such as the Ovation of the Seas and Norwegian Bliss, with passenger capacities exceeding 4,000 plus crew, arrive in the morning and depart by nightfall, only to be replaced by new arrivals. This cycle continues until the treacherous Taku Winds, with gusts reaching more than 100mph, signal the end of the season.
The rhythm of the cruise season dictates daily life for Juneau’s 32,000 residents. Local people monitor the schedule provided by the Alaska Cruise Ship Association and avoid the centre during peak cruise hours. Traditional seasons have been replaced by two distinct periods: cruise and non-cruise.
Under an agreement with the City of Juneau, up to 16,000 cruise passengers disembark daily from Sunday to Friday, with a cap of 12,000 on Saturdays. Annually, cruise passengers outnumber the local population by 50 to one.
Hart eagerly anticipates the end of the cruise season. It will offer a break from traffic congestion on the town’s single-lane road, and the relentless noise from aircraft ferrying tourists seeking a brief taste of Alaska wilderness. Souvenir shops selling little that’s authentically Alaskan, alongside jewellery stores offering Tasmanite and pendants for couples celebrating milestones, will shutter. Themed pubs, aspiring to evoke a bygone era, will close for the season.
Hart, a former tourism business owner turned activist, is at the centre of a political fight that has divided the community. She spearheaded Proposition 2, a ballot initiative aimed at banning cruise ships on Saturdays and 4 July. In October, it was defeated by a margin of about 60/40, with approximately 10,000 people voting, more than in the mayoral election, which took place at the same time. “We’ve become an amusement park,” Hart says. “The soul of Juneau is being sold off piece by piece.”
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Cruise ship tourism is awful. Huge floating hotels packed with sloppy drunks that descend on remote locations like a locust invasion.
I will never go to Juneau again. The last time I visited Glacier Bay NP (on my own vessel that I had navigated the 1000 or so miles from Orcas) we were required to obtain a special permit. Most private vessels have minimal impact, but the giant white monsters seem to be on a conveyor belt from Hell itself as they slowly transit pristine waters, blocking views of glaciers and generally obstructing access. At least they are not pemitted to anchor in NP waters or discharge passengers. Instead, they tie up at “Icy Strait Point” which is a completely fake tourist trap just outside of Hoonah. Replete with a fake cannery, fake locals, souvenir shops and other money extractors designed by imagineers from Disney Corporation. The ships moor there while awaiting their turn in the parade.
“Annually, cruise passengers outnumber the local population by 50 to one.”
Annually, tourists to the San Juans also outnumber the local population by 50 to one.
Over tourism (of any kind) sucks the soul out of small resort communities. The only thing worse than a single season tourist destination is a multi-season tourist destination.
I’m originally from Ketchikan, the last time I was up there I couldn’t believe how big the tourships were. That and the bank I used to use was now a tourist trap the and same with pretty much everything I knew going up.
Let’s see, 50 times 20,000 equals one million tourists annually. Sounds high. Is it?
I was just on the Norwegian Jewel on the last cruise of the season. Previously we had gone to Alaska in June 2011 and I specifically chose this late October date knowing it would be the only cruise ship at every port, and hence far less crowded. When we were there in June 2011, it was awful. Every port had at least three cruise ships and you could not move around town. The cruise industry has turned these Alaska towns into Disneyland. I talked to some of the locals in Juneau, and apparently they’re trying to prevent cruise ships from stopping on Saturdays, which makes sense, but I might even take it a step further and prevent it from happening more than just one day a week. I think it’s important to have some kind of a balance, and if the industry is causing such a disruption in the day-to-day lives for the people who live there, they need to rethink the strategy the city is partaking in. They do hold the power to keep these cruise ships out. It’s just a matter of how much they do for the local economy, which is probably a lot, but there’s always a cost of that. I think they need to find a middle ground.
Wow, that’s a hell of an article. I’ve been to Alaska five times every time on the cruise ship. So let’s. Get something straight. I don’t drink so sloppy doesn’t apply to me. I live in Palm Springs California in a gated community of 150 homes. There are nine homeowners that live here. I deal with the same thing. Short term rentals every day. In fact there’s a couple from Juno half three homes in here and rent them constantly. I’ve learned to deal with it. I can still work in my yard. if you can get the cruise ships to go away! Then maybe you can come here and get rid of the short term rentals. But you and I both know it’s not gonna happen. Big business rules the country.
I went on an Alaskan cruise and was overwhelmed by the crowds while in port. I didn’t get off the ship after Juneau.
I know these cruises pump a lot of money into these towns. but at what cost to the locals?
I think limiting the number of ships would help. Fewer ships and have them (cruise companies/tourists) pay more. Not everyone has to be able to afford everything
In Alaska the towns hug the coast and large crowds are boxed in. On Caribbean cruises the crowds have entire islands to spread out on (and spread their money around)
Just my opinion. I don’t live there and the people that do have to make the choices. Thanks for listening.
We understand, we were on the princess cruises. We were there for the traditional scenery and culture. We learned about the histlory of each port and towns. We are not drunks. None of our ship people,took the helicopters. We went into the wild,and we never left our garbage behind. We love the scenery and history of Alaska. We took over 1200 photos,we respect your privacy and tried not to cause any problems,for your routine. We purchased only the traditional items. I am sorry that others spoil this. With our cruise ship we could stop at 5 ports. Easier to cover more territory, than if we drive. The Alaskan territory is so beautifuland your people are friendly. Thankyou.
1.5 million cruise ship visitors per year as stated but there are other tourists as well. Jets are in and out multiple times daily. Heli tour companies beat the air all summer. It is a strange place geographically, the scenic landscape is either cold salt water or damn near vertical, and remote as busy a state capitol. Nearby glaciers are rapidly retreating.
We have the same “brick and mortar business interests” controlling the focus on explosive, unmanageable summer tourism. Cruise ships have to have contracts with the city in order to operate whereas here there is no control whatsoever except daily ferry capacity.
The idea that faux historicity, scenery, depleted natural resources are the draw while trinkets made elsewhere and incredibly expensive art shops and eateries snare enough to get by and pay minimum wages. Hollow dollar destination tourism that socializes all the negative externalities and pockets the profits minus some sales and bed tax. Just like here except many scales of economy lower. Eventually local resident become those involved with the summer tourism or are more tolerant of all the noise and congestion remain to vote for more. Just like here.
The collective will to reimagine the community and year around, diversified economic opportunities is soon driven by being a destination for others not a self reliant community of real character. If we stay on this myopic path we may have to consult with the good folks of Leavenworth to choose to become a make believe place with no real soul or sense of place.
They residents voted and 60% wanted the $$$$$$ that all those tourists bring to the area. Too bad for the elite few that most regular residents need the tourism for survival. I wish I could hand you a tissue though.
Stop making cruising twice as inexpensive as hotel/driving/dining stays (separately billed for) and it may at least even things out. But don’t forget, more people are born everyday, fewer are dying & we are just plain overcrowded. K don’t see this problem going away.
This is not true. We get cruise ships..2 at a time in Seward. No one complains. Everyone is peaceful and fine and grateful. Stop being melodramatic. Do you know how boring these Alaskan towns are in the winter. People love the fun and happiness of the cruise-goers. They don’t bother anyone and it brings in money for the small businesses. Stop fussing.
I think more people should move to vacation destinations, tourist attractions, and traveler meccas then complain as much as possible for living there. Then, they should bitch about all the jobs, increased tax revenue, and improved infrastructure they are forced to enjoy as a result of all the filthy lucre filling the poor, suffering cash registers. Thank goodness more Alaska villages are only plagued by poverty, squalor, food and energy insecurity, alcoholism addiction, obesity, illiteracy, domestic violence, rape, incest, generational trauma, PTSD, and parental abandonment and don’t have to face the demon of having their gardening time disturbed.
I agree Freddy. The article clearly states the local government has chosen how many thousands can come ashore daily. The tourists are not making the decision. They are purchasing what has been made available and marketed to them. Also, according to the article, 3/5 of the voting public there think this is fine and want it continued. Hart, “a former tourism flunky-cum-activist” seems to have become satisfied now that her coffers are full and seen the proverbial light. One might assume not to the degree that she wants her wealth diminished of course… o ly to the degree that she wants to enjoy her wealth in tranquility.
Over 20 years ago I visited Alaska via cruise ship. I fell in love with the quaint towns, and the most beautiful scenery around. The towns were small dotted with Alaskan made wares. I longed to return and soak the beauty in again, only to find what an overrun tourism place these towns are in. No more Alaskan made wares were to be found. Made in China rules the towns. Helicopters constantly above. Huge ports lined with cruise ships. So disappointed in the beauty of Alaska gone.
Our family is planning to cruise to Alaska this summer. After reading this article, it’s not a good idea. We have been to Alaska three times. Different season’s, different area’s. I already didn’t like the idea of being apart of a mob. I think we might rent a car and put it on the ferry instead. We did this when we visited Hyder to photograph Bear’s and Glaciers. We are camping people.
Bro, you’re Juneau. Be happy anyone is pumping money into the middle of nowhere.
“No one complains.”
That’s too funny… I mean, did you even read the article? It sounds like Karla Hart doesn’t like it. I also have a friend who lives in Seward who doesn’t like it. And simple math tells us that not only Hart, a former tourism business owner herself now turned activist, but approximately 4,000 others (in a vote of about 60 to 40) don’t like it either.
I see similarities between Seward and here, in that, just like in Seward “Traditional seasons have been replaced by two distinct periods: cruise and non-cruise. ” That is, we also have a distinct, and growing, summer tourist season that many of us loathe, (this always being preempted by the annual “Let’s be good to the tourists because they make us lots of money” articles that the local papers start coming out with). And just like many of us here, Hart eagerly anticipates the end of the tourist season. A 60 / 40 vote with bleak winters sounds about right for a seasonal drinking community with a fishing problem that has become, just like us, over dependent upon the tourist industry.
I’ve seen cruise liners docked on the outside of the breakwater in Friday Harbor at times, and also plying the waters between Orcas and Waldron, (heading to B’ham I suspect). Fortunately, (although there are for sure some that would love it), we don’t have enough people who are on the gravy train for this to become a major issue here… yet.
“Be happy anyone is pumping money into the middle of nowhere” is how communities are destroyed, wild places are ruined, and wildlife and humans living “in the middle of nowhere” are dismissed as *not mattering*.
All hail tourism! Because money, economic growth, and the devastation that inevitably follows are the religion that must never be blasphemed!
We have been to Alaska 2x on the Carnival Legend. July 2016 and September 2018. Both times in was raining in Juneau. We still have no idea what Juneau looks like!!
No cruise ships and all you’ll be left with is complaining natives…complaining like normal versus doing something productive.
Reality is simple…..no one would come or generate revenue without the ships
Dumb dumbs
Although it’s not a huge margin, the 60/40 vote in favor of overtourism is pretty sad, and we have the same problem here in the San Juans.
A certain group of people — hoteliers, VRBO owners, rental car providers, restaurateurs, whale watch boat operators, trinket peddlers, and others — have a financial incentive to make money by exploiting a limited resource, but the social costs of that exploitation are borne by everyone. If there are more people who profit from this exploitation than not, the lopsided economic pyramid scheme will continue until something breaks. But we are all downstream from the damage of their chosen business models, and this is deeply inequitable.
The problems caused by the tourist industry are similar to the problems caused by the fossil fuel industry. You hop on a flight to Spain (or a cruise ship to Alaska, let’s not forget that these massive cruise ships have extremely high GHG emissions). You only pay for the ticket price, not the social and environmental costs of the GHG emissions, because nobody’s quite figured out how to quantify those costs yet. The governments of the so-called First World have decided that this arrangement is acceptable because it generates tax revenue and economic growth, but most intelligent people can now see that this is an abominable moral crime with costs that will have to be paid for by our descendants eventually.
If the harms of overtourism could be legally quantified then people who can generate income on these islands without also generating pollution, noise, traffic, and environmental harm would stand a fighting chance of more effectively regulating this predatory industry. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen so long as the San Juan County government is run by people who have financial connections to the tourism industry, including the profiteers from the taxpayer-funded Visitors Bureau.
Here’s a movie recommendation for anyone interested in AK life and tourism. The flick is “Limbo” (1999) directed by John Sayles and starring the great character actor David Straithern with Kris Kristofferson playing a heavy in a supporting role.
I have been to Juneau 16 times and do agree that it is busy in the summer.But I don’t see where the sloppy drunks are. Coming of the ships.Like every other place these days they have their share of homeless people and shelters.
I appreciate the dislike of cruise ships , but have you seen Las Vegas? No one who lives there goes to the strip. Yes it’s not great, but the tourism dollars and jobs that come with it is the reason.
Happy medium?
We departed Juneau on a 100 pax expedition boat. We arrived days early and spent our time and dollars in local Juneau art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, visiting local glaciers, nature preserves, food trucks, B&B’s, Orca watch tours. All in the July rain. Was a great visit. There was zero need for helicopter rides. That seems ridiculous. And generally, roads seemed quiet, streets were quiet. Seemed kinda sleepy which was great.
It’s not just Juneau, but all of Southeast Alaska lives with the tourist industry, good or bad. I lived in Juneau for almost 29 years, before there were cruise ships and a tourist industry and I moved away before it got out of control–where giant corporations bought all available real estate and turned lively downtowns (especially in the winter) into ghost towns in the off season. My friends that still live there avoid the downtown area and hike in areas the tourist industry hasn’t taken over yet.
The small town way of life has been completely destroyed in this region of the world…and regardless of anyone’s opinion that’s a shameful thing.
I used to spend time as a child in the San Juan Islands with family in the 70’s and early 80’s and never noticed a tourism impact. I’ve been told by friends in the area that I wouldn’t experience what I used to enjoy.
Eventually every place that’s worthy of visiting changes….and for the local residents I feel your anguish as life in your corner of the world will never be the same again.
I think I can see the issue of both sides. We waited until after cruise season to visit ketchikan because we were in love with moving to alaska and building a off grid cabin, homeschooling, and joining the small community. We can in November on the second weekend. The town was half way shut down, and locals were amazed to se us wandering around and visiting local bars. And assumed we lived there or had recently moved there. They were confused when we said we were just visiting, and happy qhen we said we were looking at property. They were all awesome people we ran into, and we’re welcoming and sweet. However, the cruise woes were evident. Almost half of the town was shut down for half of the year. We had a hard time finding souveneers for family back home watching our kids and dogs. Thank God for tongass trading company, and toms. We stayed at the cheap hotel by the airport, and we explored every dang road on that island. The downside was this: cruise line tourist traps were buying up all the extra housing for tourist season workers, but what was left was empty dorms and housing unavailable to rent for full timers, and a serious lack of housing. Property prices were sky high, we hiked into our ideal property which had ocean access and wa accessible via a quarter mile hike down a giant hill. Or up whichever way your going. The issue? This off grid 2 acres came in at a whopping 84000 dollars. In town was even more horrendous. Shop owners spoke about not being able to sell, because although you have an awesome business, your not just buying that but you also need a decent house to live in. “Normal people” standards in housing was about 500k for a basic house. I live on a boat, so I was amazed people would pay that much, but I can see the hurdles it presents. Luckily, they seemed to have enough locals to support about 150 businesses on the 9ff season. But you do have to think, all that extra surplus of money in the summer buys locals out in the winter. I hate to say I’m going on a cruise for the first time next summer to alaska. I’m excited, because my only experience of ak is in the off season. And I’ve considered driving my boat up there to live and work in the summer, then back To wa in the winter. Tourism: the moster blessing and cuse in disguise.
Slightly off-topic, but one of our favorite anchorages in SE AK is Port Protection, on the NW coast of Prince of Wales Island. This village has been a subject of the National Geographic “reality” TV series of rhe same name, although most of the footage involves the adjacent community of Point Baker. One of the local stalwarts appearing in several past episodes is Stewart Andrews, who lived on Orcas Island for many years doing excavation work part of the year. He made and sold a kelp-based product he called “Garden Grog”.
It is a damed if you do damed if you don’t situations. I live in Homer, AK a very tourist rich town in the summer. As much as I would love to see tourists less it is a vital revenue stream for our tiny town. Much of my amazing town wouldn’t exist without tourists.
Juneau would be a shell of itself without tourism so better be careful what you wish for.
There are too many people in the world, and though that makes it tough to point fingers, it’s safe to say that we each have a role that we play in this. That is, it’s a matter of impact and as individuals we are each responsible for the footprint that we ourselves create. When the old timer says, “Ah, you should’a seen it 20 years ago,” listen… he’s telling you something.
The tourist industry uses many tactics to promote tourism in small, remote, sensitive, and sometimes untouched places around the world–
1) Their number one tactic is the use of “nostalgia”. “Come see a place that will take you back, a place that will remind you of simpler times, of your childhood, of the way things used to be.”
2) Second, they use the tactic of “dispersion”. They convince locals that by promoting tourism towards their lesser known places (those special, unknown, untouched places), that it will alleviate crowding in the already over-touristed areas.
3) Third, they use the tactic of “seasonality”. They convince locals that by promoting tourism towards the buffer seasons, (those, as of yet to be over-touristed times of the year), that this will alleviate crowding during the already over-touristed seasons.
None of this is true… these tried and true tactics only serve to promote more tourism. Recently, in line with this, our county council in their final deliberation of the disposition of the SJI Visitors Bureau, renewed and increased the Visitors Bureau contract from 1 to 3 years, opened the door for future funding that will allow the Chambers of Commerce to work more closely in tune with the Visitors Bureau, and solidified in writing the use of tactics #2 (dispersion), and #3 (seasonality) above.
It’s also interesting to note, that with few exceptions, how the comment thread following an article outlining the perils of over-tourism as represented by the cruise ship industry and how it has negatively impacted and changed the character of a small town in Alaska (as seen through the eyes of local resident Karla Hart), has somehow devolved into a discussion informing readers of what time of year is best to visit these small Alaskan towns in order to beat the crowds (seasonality), and what are the best anchorages and places to visit in order to avoid the crowds (dispersion). Who needs a Visitors Bureau or a Chamber of Commerce? We are our own worst enemies.
Everybody that lives in a community has an interest in, and is a “stakeholder” in that community… not just those who profit off of it. I very much appreciate the deeper observations being represented by a few of these stakeholders in the comments made above that go beyond the obvious (the obvious being that tourism brings money into a community)… thank you. I also always find it fascinating to view the intersectionality that exists between the various stakeholder interest groups (ecological overshoot, climate change, quality of life issues, degradation of local environment and ecology, loss of rural atmosphere, loss of community, etc.), with all of this being the end result of over-tourism.
Think about it folks, “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.” You can never, ever, get it back.
Perhaps Juneau and its residents would do better if they were self reliant. I loved my Alaska cruise except for Juneau. It was the worst tourist trap stop. It was not beautiful like our other ports. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I am sure that another town would welcome the boost to their economy. We were forced to visit a stupid floral garden that turned out to be a bunch of Home Depot plants sitting on logs and endure a Salmon murder plant all so that we could see the glacier. I am sure that there are glaciers in another town that ships could visit.
I regret the offhand comment about excessive drinking on cruise ships. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I had a couple of negative experiences in the Caribbean
on a bareboat charter there.
Cruise ships provide a means for many people to experience remote and pristine locations without a bluewater yacht or private aircraft. My mother, who is now 96, has been around the world 4 times on Holland America. She gets great food, a secure cabin, new bridge partners and the staff take better care of her than she would receive in an assisted living facility. It helps that she is fiercely independent.
For a unique adventure in an incredible place, visit Haida Gwaii. It is not easy to get to, 110 miles offshore across Hecate Strait, which is a formidable obstacle. The Haida are protective of their home where they have resided for 13,000 years. They do not admit cruise ships, do not cater to tourism, but are happy to share their incredible cultural heritage. Some of the spots where greedy gringos desecrated the land are sad to visit. During WWII, more than 100,000 magnificent Sitka spruce trees were cut down to make DeHavilland Mosquito light bombers. They could outrun any Nazi fighter due to their speed, owing to their lightweight construction. At the end of the war, thousands of trees were left to rot.
A counterpoint would be that the tourists and the eye balls that they bring has allowed traditional arts to flourish in Juneau. This is a huge reason why traditional chilkat weavers have doubled in number to almost a dozen. This is a traditional skill that is still on the edge of dying out. All of the women’s arts are in dire straights while the traditionally men’s arts like totem poles, carving, etc, have done decently well.
I helped build the school on the island of Hoonah for the Tlinget tribe in the mid 80’s— I was there on/off for 8 months– We would take the ferry, or float plane back to Juneau for R+R– Is the Red Dog Saloon still operating?? I loved Juneau back then— My brother lived in Palmer for 9 years until the 2O hours of darkness in winter finally drove them out– There were only a few tour ships back then, but when I returned years later, I was stunned at the mass of humanity unloading by the thousands into town—
MJ, you should change your moniker to “NJ” for “no joy.”
My comment about Port Protection was not a recommendation for a new cruise ship anchorage. It was a friendly, coumunity-centric anecdote about a truly memorable human being who used to live on Orcas Island.
Scott, Scott, Scott, always trying to reframe the narrative… focus! If what I have to say represents “no joy” to you, than surely also does what most of the other commenters have had to say as well… get over it.
Nothing like having a Natl. Geographic “reality” TV series showcasing your community in order to put it on the map. The comment thread, thanks to you and one or two others, has morphed into a regular Conde Naste’ travel guide. You remind me of the guy that once he’s found somewhere cool, can’t wait to call all of his friends and yell, “Hey, I found this small, sparsely inhabited, remote, beautiful place… C’MON!”
Having lived in places that were ruined by ego (we are our own worst enemies), and greed (for the money) related over-tourism before, and having lived here long enough to see the changes and see the symptoms all over again, this is where I’ve drawn the line and am digging my heels in to protect it from those willing to love it to death.
I have several rules of thumb when I travel, (keeping in mind that there are too many people in the world, and that tourism, being predatory by nature, is ruining many small sensitive places around the world.
1) I don’t go where I’m not wanted.
2) I leave a small footprint, (environmentally, ecologically, and socially).
3) I don’t go in a gas guzzling automobile, airplane, or boat, (and especially, especially, not a cruise line).
4) I research the area before I go, and act accordingly… walking with respect for those who live there, and for what’s there and why it’s there, and I try to fit in… not take away from it.
5) I don’t create a documentary about it in an effort to entice others to go there.
Go ahead and tell us another story Scott… we can’t wait. I mean, that’s what we live for.
OK NJ. Got it. So when you travel without using “a gas guzzling automobile, airplane, or boat”, how do you do it? Levitation or imagination?
I say reclaim…it looks terrible with all those highrisers. Have laws to only allow so much and it’s already past that. Knock some of that down. Allow maybe 2 or 3 floors but better for 2. Also spacely apart. Keep it more natural…looks horrible. Greed is ugly
An unfortunate, but predictable, decline of open discussion to personal snark.
For me this article was about a very different place from here that is smothered by cruise visitors every summer.
The helpful discussion is about what we might do about avoiding a scaled down version of summer over-tourism like we experienced before the pandemic era. And will likely be right back to it next summer.
Tourism by nature is unmanageable here until the limits of ferry space or overnight beds is reached. One day visitation has no real limit. The recent Destination Mgt Plan’s failure and simmering controversy blown into flames indicates just how “wicked” a problem tourism is.
Fortunately we do not really experience corporate, industrial tourism as Juneau and a thousand similar places suffer.
Tourism will generally be an important sector but by increasing our working family population with affordable housing and attracting small businesses to pump up year around local economic activities we will have more options.. Economic diversity will create more balance and avoid the whipsawing uncertainties and fluctuations in summer tourism and assured winter doldrums. For decades leaders have welcomed this camel into the tent and if it wasn’t for trophy home building we would be drying up and blowing away. Pay attention to this winter of Comp Plan revision!
On October 5th I took my family camping on Sucia Island. We had patiently waited until Fall to take our family vacation so that we could avoid the crowds and have a wholesome and peaceful time immersed in the natural environment. I was surprised to find a cruise ship dominating the landscape and the beach covered in hundreds of tourists.
My perception is that this article not just about cruise ships but about over tourism and its impact on ecosystems and local culture. In San Juan County numerous surveys have been conducted over the last several years on tourism. The results of each survey show an overwhelming majority (over 90%) of island residents feel we are at or beyond tourist capacity and that we should stop promoting the islands as a tourist destination by significantly reducing or eliminating funding for the Visitors Bureau. How many surveys must we take for our voices to be heard?
And who knows, a reduction in tourism just might fix our ferry issues….
“My perception is that this article not just about cruise ships but about over tourism and its impact on ecosystems and local culture. ”
Finally… someone gets it. Thank you Kevin for your clear-thinking. It doesn’t matter what form of tourism it is– in a world of too many, industrialized tourism has become one of the largest, most polluting, most predatory industries that there is, and it all leads to the same outcome. 30 years ago one could go to Sucia, Matia, or Patos and be the only one on the island. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Obviously, limits are in order, and a re-adjustment in our economic policies are needed.