The discussion about cruise tourism growth continues in Juneau Alaska. As NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line last week announced plans for a new private cruise ship dock downtown, Juneau neighbourhood associations for the first time came together to share their thoughts on the industry.
On Wednesday, December 11, more than 50 people from Juneau met to talk about cruise tourism impacts in the neighbourhoods. They wanted to talk about the pros and cons but focused mostly on the cons like pollution and traffic. Jim Powell, a professor studying tourism impacts at the University of Alaska Southeast, invited each of Juneau’s twenty-four associations to the meeting.
That limitation, whether it is a cap on the number of cruise ships or the passengers they bring, is one of the questions a city task force is examining. That task force formed this fall after Norwegian made the winning offer on a downtown waterfront lot and revealed an intention to build another cruise dock.
Everything community members shared at the meeting is due to be forwarded to the task force.
According to Powell, when Norwegian bought the property, it left a lot of Juneau's residents concerned about the future.
The tourism task force is expected to hold public testimony at City Hall on January 11 and January 16 to hear from the community.