Separate from the sales tax exemption, the Juneau Assembly had its first reading on an ordinance to earmark sales tax revenue to keep paying lawyers retained to fight the cruise industry’s lawsuit against the city.
Tourism
Young leaders help shape Arctic policy at Model Arctic Council
Proposals drafted by last spring’s Model Arctic Council may be considered by the real Arctic Council when they meet in Alaska starting this week.
Juneau Assembly to vote on sales tax exemption for cruise ships
The city’s finance department concluded last year that cruise ships are legally liable to collect local sales tax and could raise as much as $100,000 annually. But an ordinance considered by the Juneau Assembly on March 6 would exempt onboard transactions as a friendly gesture to the industry.
Eaglecrest Ski Area proposes beer and wine sales
Après-ski drinks are common in the Eaglecrest Ski Area parking lot. Now, the Eaglecrest board wants to license alcohol sales and earn a slice of the revenue.
After uncertainty, Alaska national parks get green light to hire summer staff
Alaska National Parks can hire the hundreds of seasonal employees they need to keep up with summer operations. Seasonal staffing was thrown into limbo when President Donald Trump ordered a federal hiring freeze in January. After about a month of questions and waiting,
Alaska tourism industry seeks new statewide tax district
The budget for state-funded tourism marketing has been cut by nearly 80 percent, but Alaska’s tourism industry continues to grow. Visitor counts for 2016 aren’t available yet, but in 2015, the state attracted a record 2 million visitors.