Focusing on a cruise ship waiver when marketing Haines sends the message that the only reason a ship would want to bring people here is for the dock waiver, which is a false premise.
Cruise ships are big industries that like to stop in ports where they receive big cuts off highly promoted tours, like White Pass Railroad, as well as from their company-owned, seasonally-operated jewelry stores.
Haines would be better off focusing, as Mayor Jan Hill said, on the fact that Haines is an authentic Alaskan community. We should be advocating harder for improved ferry service, because ferries bring authentic Alaskan travelers who stay for more than a few hours and many ultimately choose to call this place home. We need to sell Haines for its real assets and make sure people can get here year-round on the ferries.
Cruise ships don’t make their decisions on dock fees. This was evidenced by one ship canceling one port visit this year despite the dock waiver. Yes, roll out the welcome mat for cruise ship visitors when they arrive. Treat them right. Haines does that and more and that is enough.
So much better to have locally-owned shops and attractions than to start down the path of attempting to attract cruise ships based on money. Because dock fees won’t ever be enough for them, they will want to own the town.
An authentic year-round community is something of which to be proud. Let’s not sell Haines short.
Kathleen Menke