Commissioner Louis Sola has issued a new report examining the economic impacts of the cancelled cruise season on Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The report concludes that when considered on a per capita basis, Alaska may be the hardest hit from the loss of the cruise season. Alaska’s economy rests on three key industries: energy, fishing, and tourism. Tourism has been a growth industry for Alaska, with the number of visitors increasing 45% from 1.5 million in 2010 to 2.2 million in 2019. In 2019, twice as many people than the number who live in the state came to Alaska and took a cruise. The loss has affected several port facilities and terminals, a hotel sector, dining facilities, transportation, and shopping that are supported largely by tourism from passenger vessels.
