When the state officials of Alaska started charging extra fees and taxes plus adding more regulations on the cruise lines, the cruise lines responded by pulling ships from the area. Alaska has always been a very popular cruise experience to travelers due to the diverse natural wonderment of the state, its wildlife and the culture. The major cruise lines that pulled many ships from this popular tourist area made up the increases in taxes and fees by increasing the cost of cruising.
The results? The anchorage Daily News reports that there has been a 20% drop in tourism. The decline in cruise passengers is being felt with the rest of the states tourism industry as well. The Alaska Department of Revenue has seen reported losses in hotel, car and railroad tourist revenue. Though legislators have been negotiating to rescind these imposed taxes, many businesses who depend on tourism dollars during its short summer season are suffering.
This will be a continuing hot topic for Alaska state officials while they experience the cooling down of one of their biggest industry’s – tourism.
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