United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
BC alarmed over US bill allowing Alaska ships to bypass Canada ports
The latest bill proposal to allow cruise ships to bypass port calls in Canada has enraged the British Columbia cruise industry.
The Tribal Tourism Sovereignty Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Alaskan congressman Don Young which wants to give a permanent exemption to federal laws that requires foreign flagged ships to make an international stopover.
A temporary exemption was permitted, called the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, due to Canada’s Covid ban on cruise ship calls.
"This could be very damaging. We need to take this legislation very seriously," said Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Robertson is calling on the local cruise industry to unite ‘to lobby Washington DC to do what we can to make sure this legislation does not get passed.’
"I’d like to see the premier engaged on this issue as it’s important that we need his leadership to ensure that this legislation does not see the light of day."
It would heavily impact stopover ports Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince Rupert, and to a lesser extent the port of Vancouver.
B.C.’s Minister of Transportation said the province is concerned over the bill which would impact about $2.5 billion in revenue that Alaska-bound ships generate.
"We are in the midst of a federal election and we’ll be meeting urgently with whomever forms government next week to get them to engage immediately with the US and assert Canada’s interests in Washington, D.C.," Minister Rob Fleming said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel