Bill Overview
Title: Alaska Tourism Restoration Extension Act
Description: This bill extends for one year the authority for specified foreign-owned and -flagged cruise ships to transport passengers directly between ports in the states of Washington and Alaska without stopping in Canada. Under current law, these ships cannot transport passengers from one U.S. port to another without stopping in a foreign country. The bill applies to any foreign voyage that begins any date prior to February 28, 2023, on which Canada prohibits a vessel from berthing or docking in Canadian waters of the Pacific Coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sponsors: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People participating in or economically dependent on Alaskan cruise tourism
Estimated Size: 2000000
- cruise tourism is significant for Alaska's economy and heavily relies on foreign-flagged vessels
- this bill allows cruise ships to operate between the U.S. ports of Washington and Alaska without the usual required stop in a foreign port, which affects cruise operators
- Canada's restrictions due to COVID-19 prevent these ships from docking, which impacts the tourism industry in Alaska
- economic activity tied to tourism, such as hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, will feel the economic impact of continuing this exemption
- global population interested in Alaskan cruises, as well as local populations benefiting directly from tourism, will be impacted
Reasoning
- Limited interview pool targeting individuals with direct and significant reliance on cruise tourism in Alaska and Washington.
- Budget constraints mean we include a range of individuals from management level to local businessmen and employees in affected sectors.
- Considered both economic and social impacts on individuals who rely on tourist traffic for their livelihood.
- Selected individuals represent both ends of the potential policy impact spectrum.
Simulated Interviews
Tourism Operator (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extension of this policy is crucial for my business.
- Canadian restrictions have severely impacted us; this gives us a fighting chance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Port Manager (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing the Canadian stop requirement stabilizes port activities.
- This policy ensures workflow and employment rates at the port remain stable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Store Owner (Ketchikan, Alaska)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the policy; more tourists mean more sales.
- Keeping ships operational between here and Washington is vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Retired (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The more tourists that visit, the better the returns on my investments.
- I am supportive of any policy that supports local economic growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Travel Agent (Vancouver, Canada)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This move by the U.S. could disrupt various travel plans we arrange.
- Canadian ports losing revenue due to bypassing isn’t ideal for Canada.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cruise Line Employee (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to have more customers moving between Seattle and Alaska.
- I'm hopeful the policy will keep job security stable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Fishing Guide (Sitka, Alaska)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expedited routes mean more tourists can access my services.
- Reliance on cruise tourists makes extensions of such policies necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Tourist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm more likely to take a cruise knowing it can still happen despite restrictions.
- Policies like these make planning feasible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Hospitality Manager (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extending cruise operations likely means better business for our hotel.
- Any tourist policy that supports more visitors helps us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Finance Analyst (New York, New York)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve short-term tourism stocks.
- I'm generally cautious but see potential in this move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's impact is contingent upon ongoing Canadian COVID-19 restrictions.
- The economic benefits in Alaska must be considered against the potential environmental impact of increased cruise activity.
- The assumptions for savings largely rely on projections of tourism recovery post-pandemic.