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Cruise line boss attacks “overzealous” Alaska regulations
Tuesday, 19 Mar, 2010
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Holland American Line CEO Stein Kruse labelled Alaska’s cruise regulatory environment “the most burdensome” in the world during a convention where the state’s governor was in the audience.
"We understand that regulation is necessary, but we are concerned about overzealous regulation in Alaska," said Kruse, speaking at th Seatrade Cruise Convention in Miami.
He added it was the also the most costly state in the world for the cruise business.
He warned: “Our assets are moveable and we are good at moving our ships if conditions necessitate.”
Holland America Line is one of the two biggest cruise line operators in Alaska.
Kruse made his remarks during the convention with Alaska Governor Sean Parnell in the audience.
Kruse explained that a ballot that imparted a host of new taxes and regulations on the cruise industry beginning in 2007 "confused the voters" of Alaska. He said voters did not realise how much it would impact state tourism.
Noting that cruise passenger counts will be down 17% this year, Kruse said that decline hurts businesses in Alaska.
"That 17% decline doesn’t mean the ships aren’t operating full," he added. "They (ships) are somewhere else."
Kruse said that the industry supports fair and logical regulation, and that it is not opposed to paying taxes and fees to benefit passengers.
by David Wilkening
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