November 14, 2022, Letters to the Editor

Cruise Ship Visitors

Dear Editor: Here are my thoughts concerning the influx of visitors to Sitka. Thank you. 

Dear Sitka Assembly and Planning Department: Here are my two bits on the issue of the influx of passengers to Sitka. A bit of background. I lived In Ketchikan for 10 years and was a part- time kayak guide and then a co-owner of a bike tour business. I saw firsthand the tour industry there just as the mill was closing in Ketchikan. Now if one goes to Ketchikan after the summer is over nothing is open downtown. It is the same in Juneau and Skagway. Is that what we want for Sitka?

My fear for Sitka is, with 500,000 visitors and more to come, the local shops will be priced out of renting space in town, the jewelry shops will take over and be gone the second the last ship departs for the winter and Sitka’s downtown will be dead. The rents will soar and housing will be even more unaffordable. My suggestion: Cap the number of big cruise ship visitors at 300,000.

Everyone made money this summer with that amount. Other communities have done this. I think Sitka ought to explore that route. Thank you for your time.

Jeff Budd, Sitka