Dear Alaska Business Partner:
With the decision from the cruise industry to move portions of their fleet and their marketing dollars out of Alaska, we now must face 2010 with creative minds to keep our Alaska tourism businesses viable.

We continue to watch for news of further reduction in port visits in the Alaska cruise industry for 2011 and we believe we cannot sit back and wait for the Alaska Legislature, Governor's office, or anyone other than ourselves to affect change that will bring our industry back to life.

To advance our goals, we are developing a new support group called the Alaska Alliance for Cruise Travel (AlaskaACT). Our Mission Statement is simple:

Alaska Alliance for Cruise Travel is an Alaskan statewide, non-profit, membership-funded organization made up of business and individuals benefiting from cruise travel. Through AlaskaACT, these stakeholders
will work together to promote accurate information and support responsible development and growth of Alaska Tourism and the Cruise Industry.

AlaskaACT's efforts are focusing on the following goals:
• Create a positive business environment in Alaska for the cruise and tourism industries
• Encourage the Alaska Legislature and Administration to work toward a resolution of the current legal issues between the State and the cruise industry
• Oppose inequitable taxation directed at the cruise industry
• Support equitable environmental laws for the cruise industry
• Commit its resources to advancing the restoration and stability of the Cruise Industry in the best interest of Alaska, and Alaskans.
• Encourage accurate and honest reporting by the media
• Educate Alaskans about the economic benefits and positive environmental effects of the cruise industry on Alaska
• Support the cruise industry in their efforts to protect and preserve the environment through reasonable and attainable legislation

Our businesses need a healthy cruise market to remain viable and continue to employ thousands of Alaskans. We believe the future looks dire and the time for action is now. If you agree and have an interest as an individual or a business to work towards stabilization of our Alaska cruise industry, we need your help and would like to hear back from you.

Although our new organization already has built a strong momentum, we can’t do it alone. We need a well thought-out grassroots, public relations effort to promote communication to our Legislature, city councils,
friends and neighbors.

The tourism industry in Alaska needs your help. There are many ways to make a difference – please visit www.alaskaact.com for more information.
E-mail address: info@alaskaact.com
Follow us on Twitter: AlaskaACT