Alaska at a Glance

Economy Looking Up in SE

Cruise tourist numbers ricocheted dramatically in Southeast Alaska, from 1.3 million in 2019 to 48 in 2020 to 124,600 passengers in 2021. Vessels were 74% full in 2022, bringing 1.17 million visitors to the region in 2022.

By The Southeast Conference

It is impossible to imagine a better year-over-year economic report than 2020 to 2021, due to the devastating economic conditions of 2020.

Jobs were up by 5% in 2021 overall while communities like Hoonah and Gustavus saw 18% and 19% job increases, respectively. Total wages were up by 11% (+$238 million) — higher overall than 2019 regional earnings. The overall average regional wage increased by 6%.

Even with just one-tenth of a normal cruise ship year, visitor industry numbers soared in 2021. Total passenger arrivals from outside the region went up by 155%, with visitor sector jobs up by 36%. The tourism payroll increased by $74 million. Air passengers nearly doubled. Even population and school enrollment figures grew.

Despite impressive gains, by many measures the region still lagged behind 2019. Jobs remained 8% below 2019 annual job figures, and 18% below peak summer employment levels.

Moving into 2022 and 2023 Southeast Alaska’s businesses report tremendous optimism, and with good reason. The significant federal investments into the region in the form of COVID relief dollars worked as intended, giving Southeast Alaska an economy to come back to in 2022.

In the first half of the year, the region added 1,100 jobs, and half of the region’s business leaders expect their prospects to be even better or much better next year. Tourists have come back. The number of cruise passengers arriving in the region is on track to be at 8 times higher than 2021 levels, with a record-setting sailing schedule planned for 2023.

With its newly expanded dock and terminal building, Sitka hosted a record number of cruise visitors in 2022.

Alaska Is the Real Deal

Around 65% of summer visitors arrive to Alaska via a cruise ship. Direct visitor spending totals nearly $2.2 billion annually, excluding fares paid for travel (air, cruises, etc.). This spending figure increases to $3.7 billion when labor income from visitor industry jobs is factored in, bringing the total economic output to $4.5 billion.

Alaska Is the Real Deal

Visitor Industry Impacts Overview