tourism

Russell Benford, representative for Royal Caribbean Group, answers questions from Mayor Beth Weldon on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Assembly tries to clear the air with cruise line officials as tensions rise about future projects

City leaders seek missing details from Royal Caribbean on proposed west Douglas port.

 

An officer from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector office, which has assigned two permanent officers to Juneau as of December. (U.S. Border Patrol photo)

Higher-than-normal border crossings north of Haines last month defy national trends

The number of passengers entering the country at the Dalton Cache border crossing last month was higher than normal, according to U.S. Customs and Border… Continue reading

 

An Alaska Airlines plane passes above participants in the annual Turkey Trot run/walk next to Juneau International Airport on Thanksgiving Day of 2022. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska Airlines issues warning amidst travel industry downturn due to Trump-fueled uncertainty

Company reports $166M loss during first quarter of year, won’t release an outlook for 2025.

 

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ballot petition to restrict daily and annual cruise passengers in Juneau certified for signatures

Opponent of measure argues it violates due process, free travel and other constitutional rights.

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss docks downtown on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s leaders to discuss city’s long-term future, cruise industry in series of public meetings

Four sessions on CBJ’s 20-year plan on Tuesday and Wednesday; Assembly and cruise leaders meet Thursday.

The Norwegian Bliss docks downtown on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Local collaborators cruise through first day of visitor season

U.S. Forest Service, partners optimistic about ability to provide a high-quality visitor experience.

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Forest Service Juneau District Ranger Michael Downs and Barb Miranda, acting supervisor for the Tongass National Forest, answer questions at a Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Tourism leaders in Juneau expect the unexpected for the 2025 visitor season

Impacts of tariffs and federal firings will be navigated this summer by both tourists and locals.

U.S. Forest Service Juneau District Ranger Michael Downs and Barb Miranda, acting supervisor for the Tongass National Forest, answer questions at a Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New initiative limiting cruise tourism in Juneau filed Monday by Ship-Free Saturday supporter

Measure would set 1.5M passenger annual limit, ban ships with 250+ people before May and after Sept.

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Kids, parents, grandparents and U.S. Forest Service staff perform a vigorous reenactment of the life of a snowflake during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Glacier visitor center plans “half time” operations during tourism season due to mass firings

CBJ tourism manager proposes spending $200K in passenger fees to help organizations with staff at glacier.

Kids, parents, grandparents and U.S. Forest Service staff perform a vigorous reenactment of the life of a snowflake during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock advances to full Assembly for possible April vote

Modifications to proposed agreement include ship size limit, Coast Guard’s OK due to icebreaker.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A 2.9-acre plot of land donated to Huna Totem Corp. by Norwegian Cruise Line is the site for the proposed Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Amendments to Huna Totem’s proposed private cruise dock to be taken up Monday night by the Assembly

A dozen proposals seek limits on ship size, fines for violations, setting various operational goals.

A 2.9-acre plot of land donated to Huna Totem Corp. by Norwegian Cruise Line is the site for the proposed Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A totem pole and visitor guide sign on the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘Anecdotal’ signs Juneau’s tourism season may see a dropoff due to Trump’s policies, officials say

Tariffs, talk of recession causing uncertainty and ill will resulting in reports of cancellations.

A totem pole and visitor guide sign on the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Proposal for commercial Jet Ski tours originating downtown sinks before harbor board

Operator says he will seek different site after officials say he implied support that doesn’t exist.

Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, marking the official end of the annual cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Community support for tourism continues slow decline in annual survey

29% say impacts generally positive, 13% negative; responses were 40% positive, 6% negative in 2002

The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, marking the official end of the annual cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Lightering boats return to their ships in Eastern Channel in Sitka on June 7, 2022. (James Poulson/Sitka Sentinel)

Sitka OKs another cruise ship petition for signature drive

Group seeks 300K annual and 4,500 daily visitor limits, and one or more days with no large ships.

Lightering boats return to their ships in Eastern Channel in Sitka on June 7, 2022. (James Poulson/Sitka Sentinel)
A family ice skates and perfects their hockey prowess on Mendenhall Lake, below Mendenhall Glacier, outside of Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 24, 2024. The state’s capital, a popular cruise port in summer, becomes a bargain-seeker’s base for skiing, skating, hiking and glacier-gazing in the winter off-season. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)

NY Times: Juneau becomes a deal-seeker’s base for skiing, skating, hiking and glacier-gazing in winter

Newspaper’s “Frugal Traveler” columnist writes about winter side of summer cruise destination.

A family ice skates and perfects their hockey prowess on Mendenhall Lake, below Mendenhall Glacier, outside of Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 24, 2024. The state’s capital, a popular cruise port in summer, becomes a bargain-seeker’s base for skiing, skating, hiking and glacier-gazing in the winter off-season. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
City officials pose with a gold shovel at the location of a new marine haulout Friday at the Gary Paxton Industrial Site. Pictured are, from left, Assembly member Kevin Mosher, GPIP Board of Directors members Chad Goeden and Lauren Howard Mitchell (holding her son, Gil Howard), Municipal Engineer Michael Harmon, Assembly member Thor Christianson, Municipal Administrator John Leach, Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Sitka Economic Development Association Executive Director Garry White, and GPIP Board of Directors Chair Scott Wagner. (James Poulson / Sitka Sentinel)

Sitka Assembly approved memorandum of understanding on cruise ship passenger limits by 4-3 vote

MOA sets daily limit of 7,000, guidelines for docking bans for ships that would exceed that total.

City officials pose with a gold shovel at the location of a new marine haulout Friday at the Gary Paxton Industrial Site. Pictured are, from left, Assembly member Kevin Mosher, GPIP Board of Directors members Chad Goeden and Lauren Howard Mitchell (holding her son, Gil Howard), Municipal Engineer Michael Harmon, Assembly member Thor Christianson, Municipal Administrator John Leach, Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Sitka Economic Development Association Executive Director Garry White, and GPIP Board of Directors Chair Scott Wagner. (James Poulson / Sitka Sentinel)
Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area’s dilemma: Aging equipment needing repair while planning an ambitious new future

Leaders at board retreat also confront loss of lift for season, staff shortages, gondola uncertainties.

Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Downtown businesses open after last ship leaves plan for lean winter, worry about proposed Douglas dock

Entire blocks along Franklin Street now shut down, but some stores seek to lure what locals they can.

A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)