Bill Heads to President's Desk; With Biden's Signature, Cruise Ship Operations to Alaska Can ResumeMajor cruise lines operations to Alaska could resume the last week of July; Alaskans Come Out in Strong Support of the Alaska Tourism Restoration ActPosted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
May 21, 2021
Following Senate passage of the bill, Congressman Don Young worked with House Leadership to bring the legislation to the floor this week. The Alaska Delegation received assurances from the White House that it would be swiftly signed into law once sent to President Biden. In a prepared statement this morning, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) commented on the announcement that major cruise lines will resume operations to Alaska in the last week of July.Dunlevay said, “This is great news for anyone hoping to experience the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier. I thank our partners in the cruise ship industry for their commitment to Alaska and our local economies. This announcement signals a hopeful new chapter for the dozens of communities and tens of thousands of Alaskans who rely on cruise industry partners to help them share Alaska with the world.” The cruise industry has a combined direct and indirect impact of $3 billion to the state’s gross product. In 2019, 1.36 million passengers came to Alaska via cruise ship. Quoting Governor Dunleavy's news release, Princess Cruises has announced they will resume operations in Alaska starting July 25th through September 26th, Holland America Line will resume operations July 24th through October 2nd, and Carnival Cruise Line will sail from July 27th through September 14th. U. S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said, “COVID-19 has devastated Alaska’s tourism industry. After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Alaskans across the state have been feeling fear, anxiety, and uncertainty over whether or not their jobs—their livelihoods—could survive another cancelled cruise ship season. For many, the advice was just to ‘get through to 2022’, but for the Delegation, that was simply not acceptable. Together, we committed to bringing Alaskans some level of relief.,” Senator Murkowski said, “We’ve been working every angle to find a path forward for this critical industry. Alaskans shared their worries and needs, giving us valuable insight and perspectives. We worked with stakeholders and industry leaders across the state to brainstorm all our options and to find solutions that could work for the unique challenges facing our state. We were in close coordination with the Alaska State Legislature who strongly backed our efforts through a resolution of support. Overall, this is a huge victory, but getting this bill across the finish line represents more than just the determination of the Delegation - this is a testament to the strength and resilience of all Alaskans. Thank you to everyone who came together to help create the momentum needed to forge a path forward, including my Senate colleagues. I remain optimistic that this legislation will allow a level of safe cruising to resume this summer, giving communities some semblance of a tourist season.” “Today [Thursday] is a great day for Alaska, for our small businesses all across the state, and for Congress. Members from both sides of the aisle - and in both chambers - have come together to help their fellow Americans who are hurting,” said U. S. Senator Sullivan (R-AK). Senator Sullivan said, “Hundreds of Alaska’s small business owners, who have put their savings, their hopes and their dreams into their businesses, were on the brink of being ruined as a result of the pandemic and the fact that our short cruise ship season was about to be canceled again. Our friends in Canada could have helped us here when we really needed them, and it’s unfortunate that they ultimately did not. But thanks to bipartisan cooperation of Congress and the unrelenting advocacy of Alaska’s delegation, our state is open for business and poised to welcome cruise ship passengers this summer. 2021 will not be the robust cruise ship season we have had in previous years, or was forecasted this year before the pandemic hit, but there will be ships, and there will be people, and that is excellent for Alaska.” Congressman Don Young (R-AK) said, “Today [Thursday] truly is a great day for the State of Alaska and our communities in Southeast. Alaska's tourism economy depends on the summer cruise season. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the tourism sector and caused undue stress on the Alaskan small businesses that rely on being able to welcome visitors from around the world." Congress Young said, "Families in Southeast have been kept awake at night from the stress-driven by uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season. Today's passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act brings urgently needed good news to our mom and pop small businesses." Young said, "This bill solves one-half of the puzzle for the resumption of the 2021 Alaska cruise season, and now it is the CDC's turn to act decisively and promulgate the guidance the industry needs to set sail for Alaska. Even before we had effective vaccines, the CDC allowed airlines, trains, and other hospitality providers to operate unencumbered. On the other hand, cruise lines were singled out and held to a much more prohibitive standard that would have put the final nail in the coffin for the 2021 season. However, in recent weeks, I have worked with the Administration, and I want to thank them for seeing the bigger picture and honoring their commitment to work with the industry to find a path forward under the Conditional Sail Order. I urge the CDC and the Administration to bring that work to fruition so that ships may sail to Alaska." Young said yesterday's bill passage comes at a critical time. Infections are down, mask mandates are being relaxed, and over 60% of the adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Young said, "We are turning a corner, and it is time to let our tourism sector get back to normal. This bill speaks to the dogged determination of the Alaska Delegation, and I am very grateful for the help of Senators Murkowski and Sullivan." "Following Senate passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act last week, John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, described our effort as a 'blip' that would not go any further than the Senate. Now that the bill is headed to the President's desk and cruises will bypass Canada entirely, I am sure that Premier Horgan will never again underestimate the 'small but mighty' Alaska Congressional Delegation," said Congressman Young. Young concluded saying, "We now have a path forward for a 2021 cruise season, and I am confident that Alaskans will all do their part to ensure a safe and prosperous tour season. To those who will be visiting our state this summer, I say 'welcome to Alaska; we are open for business!'” Alaskans Come Out in Strong Support of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, is on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation, led by U.S. Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, and Congressman Young, provides cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska a temporary fix under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). Due to the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters, large cruise ships sailing to Alaska would not have been able to sail to Alaska, as the PVSA requires a stop in a foreign country. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated mandates have decimated Alaska’s tourism industry. The lack of cruise ship passengers traveling to the state has severely impacted Alaskans, small business owners, and Alaska’s economy overall. The Alaska Congressional Delegation has been committed to finding a path forward for the Alaska cruise industry to resume and in turn, Alaska’s economy.
What Alaskans Are Saying About the Passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act: Patti Mackey, CEO of Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, said, “This is such welcome news for our community, which has worked hard to become one of Alaska's top visitor destinations. It's been heartrending to hear the stories our local tourism businesses have shared as they have tried to hold on to their livelihoods. I realize we still have a way to go, but it's definitely the most hopeful news I've heard this past year. I am grateful to Senator Murkowski, along with Congressman Young and Senator Sullivan for their untiring efforts on our behalf.” Dave Spokely, Co-Owner of Ward Cove Dock Group located in Ketchikan, said, “For many Alaskan communities tourism is a lifeline. Our economies are driven by tourism and our people thrive on the opportunity to show the world our land and our way of life. We truly want to thank our Alaska delegation and the American congress for believing in us.” “Incredible that our Alaska Congressional Delegation has convinced every US Senator, every US Representative, and the President of the United States to help thousands of Alaskans. Their efforts have given us hope to get back to work in tourism this summer,” said John Binkley, former CLIA Alaska President and Co-Owner of Ward Cove Dock Group LLC. Andrew Cremata, Skagway Mayor, said, “This bill represents an essential first step toward getting cruise ships back in Skagway. Our economy is almost solely dependent on cruise tourism and our future as a community is at stake. I applaud Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Young for their dogged determination in getting this bill passed so that we can look forward to at least a partial 2021 season.” Rorie Watt, Juneau City Manager, said, “Our economies, workers and small business owners have suffered great harm from COVID19 and this legislation allows cruise ships to come to Alaska. Many steps have to be taken to return to safe cruising, but without the PVSA waiver, none of the other steps matter. Big thanks for putting a strong shoulder into moving this legislation!” Robert Venables, Southeast Conference Executive Director, said, “The bells of joy are ringing across Southeast Alaska as the first ray of hope for economic recovery for the region's tourism and hospitality sectors breaks through. Southeast Conference is incredibly grateful to our Delegation for “doing the impossible”. When told the PVSA could not be changed on such short notice, they were undaunted and made it happen! Southeast Alaska suffered the most with the highest number of jobs lost in 2020. Now those businesses have a chance to generate some revenue that will help them to survive until better days in 2022.” “We are deeply grateful to the entire U.S. Congress, but especially to our advocates, Alaska’s Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young,” said ATIA President and CEO Sarah Leonard. “This legislation is literally a lifeline for so many of Alaska’s small businesses that were struggling, and it means job opportunities for Alaskans this summer.” “The congressional delegation was persistent, insistent, tenacious and, at times, aggressive in their pursuit of saving the Alaska tourism season. With the passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, thousands of jobs and businesses will be saved and our economy will get the shot in the arm we so desperately need,” saidKati Capozzi, President and CEO of Alaska Chamber. Russell Dick, President and CEO of Huna Totem Corporation, said, “Alaska faced the need for a legislative solution to an outdated law that has threatened to prevent the cruise industry from returning to Alaska. We were told by many people that it “cannot be done.” You got it done today, and your success will bring meaningful benefit to hundreds of households in Hoonah and tens of thousands of households across Alaska. Thanks to the work of the delegation, Congress recognized the need to extend this lifeline to communities like Hoonah that depend on the cruise industry to support jobs and tax revenue, and thanks to the delegation, Congress acted unanimously to pass legislation to help our communities. On behalf of our 1450 Alaska Native shareholders, our cruise port of Icy Strait Point and our village of Hoonah, thank you. Alaska is now open for business.” Ralph Samuels, Vice President Community and Government Relations, Alaska for Holland America Group said, “On behalf of all of the employees of Princess and Holland America Line, we would like to thank Senator Murkowski and the entire Alaska Congressional Delegation. Their work will make a huge difference for the thousands of small businesses that are the backbone of the Alaska tourism industry.” “Thank you to our entire Congressional delegation for their leadership in both chambers of Congress. The tourism industry asked for assistance during this unprecedented time, and our delegation team has stepped up in a big way. Passing the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act gives the entire industry hope that we will be able to welcome cruise ships back to Alaska and salvage at least a portion of this summer. Premier Alaska Tours typically has 600+ employees. In 2020, this was reduced to 12 due to the pandemic. Without the cruise ships in 2021, we expect to employ 150 employees this summer which is significantly better than 2020, but still far short of our normal levels. With the actions this week in DC, we are excited to possibly bring back more of our team for the 2nd half of the summer season," said Joshua Howes, President of Premier Alaska Tours.
Dave Allen, Owner of Allen Marine in Sitka, said, “We want to express our sincere appreciation to Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Representative Young for their efforts to preserve a portion of the 2021 Alaska cruise season. The passage of the temporary PVSA waiver bill will have major economic benefits to our company, the region, and the state. Our locally-owned business, which has operated for over 50 years and employs hundreds of full time and seasonal workers, can now begin to rebuild from the economic hardship of the pandemic. Over the last year, Senator Murkowski and her staff have made time to listen intently to our story and concerns, and they consistently assured us they would do all in their power to help. While they faced obstacles along the way, today’s achievement is proof of their commitment to our company and to Alaska.” President of Alaska Coach Tours and Pacific Alaska Tours Dennis McDonnell said, “The passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act was an amazing effort lead by our Congressional delegation. Many small businesses such as ours will now have the opportunity to generate revenue following 19 months of no business. Our businesses in Southeast Alaska will still need further assistance, but the tireless efforts from our delegation has created the path to survival for our Alaskan employee owned business as well as hundreds of other small businesses in Southeast Alaska dependent on the cruise industry.” The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released a statement saying, “We are thrilled and congratulate Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congressman Young for leading the passage of legislation to help save the Alaska cruise season. While there is still work to be done, the cruise industry is one step closer to sailing in Alaska this year. We thank the Alaska delegation, along with Governor Dunleavy and the Alaska State Legislature, for their leadership in achieving this important milestone. On behalf of our members, we look forward to doing our part to help put Alaskan communities back to work.”
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