Understanding the Memorandum of Agreement
The City and Borough of Juneau and the cruise lines have established a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to manage and control the number of cruise ship passengers visiting Juneau. This agreement is a collaborative effort to balance tourism with the needs and desires of the community.
What Does This Mean?
Daily Passenger Limits
A maximum of 16,000 lower berths per day from Sunday to Friday and 12,000 on Saturdays. This does not mean uncontrolled growth and does not mean 16,000 or 12,000 passengers per day – in fact, most days are far below these thresholds.
Annual Meetings
The MOA includes a commitment for CBJ to meet annually to review and optimize the cruise schedule and address community goals. This ongoing dialogue ensures that the agreement remains relevant and effective.
Community & Industry Partnership
The agreement is a result of recommendations from the Visitor Industry Task Force and ongoing negotiations between CBJ and Cruise Lines International Association in Alaska (CLIA). This partnership highlights the importance of working together to find balanced solutions.
Community Impact
The impact of this agreement extends beyond just limiting visitor numbers. By setting daily passenger limits, the MOA ensures local businesses can thrive while respecting and preserving our natural and cultural resources. This collaborative effort smooths out visitor volume, managing peak days effectively. The CBJ retains oversight by approving the annual cruise ship schedule, allowing for necessary adjustments and optimizations. One of the key goals of the MOA is to make 1.6 million passengers feel like 1 million, enhancing the experience for both locals and visitors by reducing pressure on the city's infrastructure and resources.
These visitor caps pause growth to allow Juneau to catch up with infrastructure, tour product and impact mitigation plans that were curtailed due to the pandemic.
Why This Matters
This MOA, the first of its kind in the region and among the first in the world, is significant because it demonstrates the power of collaboration and dialogue in solving community issues. It builds on the five-ship limit that went into effect this year and has been in the works since the beginning of the year with all parties, including CBJ, the industry, private dock owners, small businesses and tour operators engaged in the effort.
Rather than making decisions through a ballot process, which can be divisive and inflexible, this agreement shows how continued cooperation can lead to practical and mutually beneficial solutions.
Benefits of the MOA
Economic Stability
By setting clear limits on the number of visitors, local businesses can predict and plan for steady tourism revenue without the disruptions of uncontrolled growth.
Quality of Life
Reducing visitor numbers on the busiest days helps maintain the quality of life for residents, ensuring that the impact of tourism is manageable and beneficial.
Sustainable Tourism
This agreement is a step towards sustainable tourism in Juneau, balancing economic benefits with environmental and social considerations.
Community Support and Future
We are grateful to the residents of Juneau. Your participation and support have been vital. Whether you work in tourism, have family members who rely on the industry or simply enjoy living here, your efforts help shape the future of Juneau. We remain dedicated to creating an inclusive community where businesses flourish, residents enjoy a high quality of life and future generations have opportunities to keep Juneau their home. Visitors can appreciate our city's beauty and culture in a sustainable way.
So, Juneau, take a moment to be proud. Your efforts show that economic development and quality of life can indeed coexist. Thank you for your trust, partnership and belief in our shared future.