Increased Demand Coming: Holland America to Resume Alaska Cruises in 2021

October 27, 2020

One of the factors shredding energy employment in 2020 was the devastating drop in transportation due to COVID-19. Over one-quarter of all energy use is from transportation of people and goods across the nation.

Southeast Alaska, which receives significantly more than one million cruise visitors in a “normal” summer, had employment numbers gutted.  Statewide, tourism jobs dropped by nearly a third as nearly every cruise was canceled by the last days of spring.

Experts say that a return of travel – both for business and leisure – and tourism will be clear signs that energy demand will upswing.

At least in Alaska, the news was welcomed when Holland America announced this past week it would resume cruises in 2021. Here’s hoping they are the first of many to do so.

The cruise ships aren’t the only component of a vibrant cruise industry to rely on Alaskan oil and gas; the land-based tours, motorcoaches, taxis and small planes do as well.  A recovery in the tourism sector is good news for all industries in Alaska, but the tie-in to energy jobs is clear.

Alaska’s a beautiful place, and Power The Future is excited about its future.  For those workers across the state helping to bring about economic recovery and renewed energy independence, we simply say, “thank you.”