Tourism Industry

Court upholds 1 halibut a day on Southeast charter boats

Halibut charter operators lost an attempt Monday to rid themselves of the one-fish-a-day rule, which they say is putting them out of business in Southeast Alaska.

Begich, Boggs center to open on weekends

After being shuttered all winter the last two years, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in Portage Valley will be open weekends this season until its summer season begins May 23.

Cruise passenger tax clearly legal, Alaska AG says

Alaska has a strong case to defend itself in the cruise ship industry's lawsuit on a passenger tax, according to the state attorney general.

Polar bear tourism is growing on Alaska's North Slope

We took a turn as the latest clients in Kaktovik's fledgling effort at locally led polar bear tourism. From the sound of it, business is picking up. Warbelow's Air Ventures has been flying tourists in, and other tour operators are starting to send clients as well.

Small-ship cruise line targets 2011 launch

A new small-ship cruise line will start weeklong voyages between Ketchikan and Juneau in 2011.

Alaska cruise passenger count down slightly this summer

Cruise companies saw a slight decrease in Alaska passengers through August, according to the state Revenue Department. But ships carried more passengers than two years ago, despite the national recession.

Cruise ship pollution rules have some Alaskans fretting

Some Alaska ports of call along with Gov. Sean Parnell have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rethink -- or at least slow down -- its plans to impose stricter air-quality requirements for cruise ships and other large oceangoing vessels.

Governor supports tour tax credit

Gov. Sean Parnell said he will support corporate income tax credits for cruise ship companies that contribute to Alaska tourism marketing.

Cruise passenger missing from ship along Inside Passage

A search was launched Wednesday in the waters of Southeast Alaska and Canada for a 67-year-old woman reported missing from a cruise ship.

Cruise ship association sues state over passenger tax

The Alaska cruise ship industry has filed suit in federal court arguing that the state's new $46-per-person tax on passengers is unconstitutional. Attorney General Dan Sullivan said the Department of Law will "vigorously defend" the state in the case.

Cruise ships don't fare well in pollution report

An environmental group released its report card Wednesday on how well cruise-ship companies operating in American waters are doing to reduce pollution.

FOE's Cruise Ship Report Card

Mouse's 'small world' expands to Alaska

Disney Cruise Lines for the first time is offering cruises to Alaska.

Disney to offer its first-ever Alaska cruises in 2011

Disney Cruise Lines says it will offer seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder to Southeast Alaska ports in 2011. The cruises will depart from Vancouver, B.C.

State sues tourist businesses over bogus "sale" prices

The state is cracking down on Southeast retailers who lure cruise-ship visitors with "blowout" sales and "everything must go" pitches.

Valley's state parks shine in bad tourism year

The poor national economy this summer boosted the use of Matanuska-Susitna state parks but took a toll on everyone else in the local tourist business.

Alaska Interior tourism slumped this summer, figures show

It hasn't been a good tourist season for Interior Alaska. The number of passengers at Fairbanks International Airport fell by 11 percent to about 294,000 in the May-July period, compared to a year ago, said Jesse VanderZanden, the airport's manager.

Alaska's bruised tourism industry meets to share survival tactics

More than 300 people, from politicians to tour operators, gathered in downtown Anchorage on Thursday to brainstorm ideas on how to weather a tourism meltdown that is expected to get worse next summer.

INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS

Tourism summit will focus on challenges

A Southcentral Alaska Tourism Summit is scheduled for 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday in Anchorage's Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center. It will discuss the challenges the Alaska tourism industry faces due to the global recession and a planned cut in cruise ship visits next year, among other issues.

Elderhostel brings travelers to Arctic

Sue Burford of her 12-year-old grandson Zach joined about 14 other campers at the inter-generational Elderhostel held at LaVonne Hendricks' fish camp near Kotzebue. Elderhostel is a nonprofit that organizes educational tours for older travelers and, in some cases, their grandchildren.

Sitka restricts aggressive vendors to a box

Sitka municipal officials have drawn a line on the pavement to shield cruise ship visitors from aggressive vendors.

Officials seek evidence that cruise passenger was suicidal

Alaska authorities conducted interviews and reviewed security camera footage Tuesday aboard a cruise ship after the body of a passenger turned up in the icy waters off an island near the capital.

Body found in search for ship passenger