tourism

The borough’s welcome sign greets drivers as they enter the Kenai Peninsula on Milepost 75 of the Seward Highway, on Sunday, May 5, 2019, near Turnagain Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to include cities in tourism promotion materials

Borough code doesn’t allow the borough to promote city-specific tourism without entering into a partnership with that city

 

Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Peninsula tourists trending older, staying longer

Tourism is bouncing back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

 

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire An Alaska Coach Tours bus sits parked beside the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau. Alexandra Pierce, the CBJ tourism manager, said this year’s season went “relatively smoothly” and said the revival of tourism was overall well received by the residents and downtown businesses.

Final cruise ship of 2022 leaves Juneau

Capital city says farewell to its last ship of the season

 

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Bliss arrives Monday in Juneau, the first cruise of the 2022 season.

2022 cruise season begins in Juneau

Visitors and Juneau locals alike were excited for the arrival

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Bliss arrives Monday in Juneau, the first cruise of the 2022 season.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Protesters critical of the cruise ship industry gathered Monday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regulations.

Protesters call for more enforcement of environmental regulations aboard ships

As cruise ships return, some residents remain wary.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Protesters critical of the cruise ship industry gathered Monday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regulations.
This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)

State seeks to give tourism boost with federal funds

The funds, from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will be included in the governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget.

This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)
With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Shaping up, shipping in: Southeast tour companies eagerly readying for shortened season

Even if it’s a short season, it’ll set them up for success in 2022, companies say.

With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Visitors numbers rebound, but hotel vacancies remain high

Hotels, motels, nobody’s in.

Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

U.S. Senate passes bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

It now heads to the House.

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Dunleavy asks White House to allow cruises

It’s not just tourism.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
House lawmakers are hoping to see at least some cruise ship passengers like these seen in this Sept. 2017 file photo, and passed a resolution urging Congress and the president to take action on behalf of Alaska's tourist sector. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

House OKs resolution urging federal action on cruises

Juneau’s lawmakers say tourism needed for Southeast.

House lawmakers are hoping to see at least some cruise ship passengers like these seen in this Sept. 2017 file photo, and passed a resolution urging Congress and the president to take action on behalf of Alaska's tourist sector. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

Pollution, human rights and community determinism are all on their agenda.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Lavish British ship makes maiden voyage to Alaska

Lavish British ship makes maiden voyage to Alaska

This ship even has its own brand of gin.

Lavish British ship makes maiden voyage to Alaska
More than just a bed and breakfast: Glamping offers adventurous, yet comfortable experience for peninsula visitors

More than just a bed and breakfast: Glamping offers adventurous, yet comfortable experience for peninsula visitors

Amy George describes glamping as more than just glamorous-camping. “The way I look at it, is that I still want to go to wild places.… Continue reading

More than just a bed and breakfast: Glamping offers adventurous, yet comfortable experience for peninsula visitors

Borough budget could bring cuts, increase for nondepartmentals

Next Tuesday night’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting could bring cuts or increases to the borough’s three economic development programs. The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development… Continue reading

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

With one meeting left before they have to approve the fiscal year 2019 budget, the members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly have yet to… Continue reading

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall
In this July 2016 photo, anglers cast their lines into the Kenai River from the bank above the Sterling Highway Bridge in Soldotna, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Report: More than 500K out-of-state tourists came to Kenai in 2016

More than 562,000 people from outside the state visited the Kenai Peninsula in summer 2016, about 10 times the area’s resident population, according to a… Continue reading

In this July 2016 photo, anglers cast their lines into the Kenai River from the bank above the Sterling Highway Bridge in Soldotna, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Alyssa Rodrigues, the development manager within the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development’s Division of Economic Development, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula job losses continue into retail, tourism sectors

The Kenai Peninsula lost jobs and saw reduced wages in 2016 and the first two quarters of 2017, a continuation of the ongoing statewide recession.… Continue reading

Alyssa Rodrigues, the development manager within the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development’s Division of Economic Development, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Visitor Center numbers falling

The Soldotna Visitor Center continued on a downward trend this summer with a slight decline in visitors. “We have slowed down just a little bit,”… Continue reading

Cody Schaefer, left, and Shayla Smith compete against each other in a net pull at Industry Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Walker celebrates industry, talks diversification

While celebrating the industries that fuel the Kenai Peninsula, Gov. Bill Walker stressed the importance of diversifying Alaska’s commerce. “You look at the career opportunities… Continue reading

Cody Schaefer, left, and Shayla Smith compete against each other in a net pull at Industry Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)