Beyond the cruise: Navigating sustainable policy and practice in Alaska's Inland Passage (Chapter 13)

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Date

2010

Authors

Ringer, Greg

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

London: Earthscan Ltd.

Abstract

In the middle of a global economic recession, cruise tourism continues to be one of the major growth engines of international travel. With “average annual increases in passenger numbers of 8.2% over the last two decades”, and sustained “growth in cruise capacity averaging 7.6% annually,” the resilience of the industry is clearly displayed in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, one of the fastest growing cruise destinations in the world. In ports from San Francisco to Seward, passengers are enticed aboard ships with onboard credits and free upgrades to “[e]xplore breathtaking landscapes and come face to face with the people and wildlife [who inhabit] the stunning alpine meadows and glacial wonders of Denali and the Talkeetna Mountains . . . This is the perfect non-camping itinerary for those looking for comfort in the natural wonderland of Alaska.” For residents, however, the experience of cruise tourism is often less well described:, inundated by summer passengers and s, carrying the and the costs of funding and maintaining community infrastructure for a seasonal industry that is known to relocate vessels to competing ports whenever financial incentives warrant.

Description

Keywords

Alaska, Cruise tourism, Sustainable tourism

Citation

Ringer, Greg (2010) Chapter 13: Beyond the cruise: Navigating sustainable policy and practice in Alaska's Inland Passage. In CRUISE TOURISM IN POLAR REGIONS: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY? (Eds.) M. Luck, P. Maher & E. Stewart. London: Earthscan Ltd., pp. 205-223.

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