Alaska officials propose ‘Alaska Tourism Recovery Act’ to aid cruise, tourism industry amid Canada’s COVID concerns
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska introduced the “Alaska Tourism Recovery Act,” legislation that they hope will temporarily relieve restrictions in place as a result of the Passenger Vessel Services Act.
U.S. maritime law requires international stops on ships flagged in foreign countries, which includes many major cruise lines’ ships. The bill would allow cruise ships to sail to Alaska without requiring a stop in Canada. Right now, Canada’s ban on cruise ships prohibits such a stop, posing a challenge to Alaska’s tourism industry and the cruise industry.
“Canada’s recent decision to prohibit Alaska-bound cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters creates legal hurdles that will hamstring the Alaska cruise season, creating additional economic strain on Alaska’s entire economy, especially in our Southeast communities,” Murkowski said in a release.
until March 2022.
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