I’m a 30-year Juneau resident voting “yes” for Ship-Free Saturday (and July 4) to support Juneau’s recovery from rampant over-tourism growth.
The number of cruise ship passengers visiting Juneau in 1990 was 237,000. In 2000 it swelled to 689,000. In 2023, it exploded to 1.67 million. Even at the present five ships per day and passenger cap agreement, the projected cruise passenger 2025 number is 1.5 million. Is this sustainable in a small city already burdened with cruise industry-related problems of housing, transportation, noise, water and air pollution? I think not.
Several Juneau residents have published fiscal proposals including the passenger head tax adjustment for inflation and a CBJ seasonal sales tax. These proposals are very worth looking at; other cities do it well. Juneau can too.
We who live here and engage with the community know why we love Juneau. It’s so much more than a talking point, it’s more than emotional; it’s about respect for residents’ core values, respect for the land and our homes. This includes maintaining separation from tourists on many hiking trails and fishing grounds. The answer is not to open more CBJ parks and trails to tour operators, it’s to preserve and protect recreation sites and residents’ neighborhoods from incessant, conversation-stopping helicopter noise or diesel engines while supporting the cruise industry operators’ tours at selected sites.
What would I do with Ship-Free Saturdays?
I’d hike at the glacier without throngs, kayak Gastineau Channel along the city waterfront and Sandy Beach, cycle through the downtown corridor without fear of injury.
I’d bring my independent tourism visitors downtown, I’d support local shops and eateries, support planned events such as “First Saturday” concerts in Marine Park, community events by locals for locals.
I’d support an enhanced Visitor Industry Task Force that includes city leaders, tourism industry members, economists, citizen scientists and Juneau conservation leaders to collaborate on a mission to respect and protect Juneau’s land and marine resources within a defined model of sustainable tourism.
A vote for Ship-Free Saturday acknowledges that working together to protect Juneau’s lands, air and marine environment is a vote for sustainability, and a vote for protecting Juneau’s future. Ongoing over-tourism endangers the natural resources on which the cruise industry relies.
Please vote “yes” for Ship-Free Saturday.
• Jo Boehme has been a registered Juneau voter since 1994. She worked as a healthcare professional at Bartlett Regional Hospital for 26 years.
