Spectre of cruise ship bypass becoming permanent worries BC ports - BC News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“I would like the premier to advocate on the important role the cruise ships play,” he said, estimating their value to the B.C. economy at more than $2.7 billion. “I’d also like him to say he will work with Senator Murkowski on laying out a plan on how we will welcome cruise back to B.C. when it’s safe to do so.” Robertson’s plea was made out of concern that anything temporary, such as the new cruise ship rules, could become permanent. He said with U.S. President Joe Biden signing into law the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act allowing large cruise ships to sail from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada there is a chance it sets the stage for that to become the norm after the pandemic has passed.
The cruise industry is worth $130 million to Victoria’s economy and employs more than 800 people. But at Fisherman’s Wharf on Tuesday, there was cautious optimism in the air.
Victoria’s Ogden Point normally sees more than 200 cruise ship visits every year, delivering passengers and crew into the city’s downtown and to major attractions. But the pandemic has closed borders and Canada has announced a ban on large-cruise-ship visits until next year, meaning tourism-oriented businesses will lose two years of the normally lucrative cruise market. U.S. legislation requires foreign-registered cruise ships sailing between American ports to stop in Canada, but the new bill will temporarily remove that requirement, allowing cruise lines to offer sailings out of Washington state straight to Alaska, which depends on business from the huge ships.
Bill allowing U S cruise lines to bypass B C passes, needs president s signature - BC News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.