Introduction

Mayor Weldon established the second Visitor Industry Task Force (VITF) in December 2025 with a charging document that tasked the group with addressing four major issues:

• Revising recommendations from 2020 VITF
• Addressing persistent issues
• Revolving loan program parameters
• Long-term tourism management

The VITF recognizes the work done by the community and CBJ in early 2000’s that resulted in the Tourism Management Plan and the subsequent Resolution 2170.  Many of the findings and recommendations in the report are still applicable today and should be considered along with the recommendations of VITF 1.0 and 2.0. The vision established in the Resolution continues to guide the efforts of this committee and should guide future policy decisions:

CBJ seeks a healthy and vibrant tourism sector generating business opportunities and employment for Juneau citizens, protecting Juneau’s heritage and cultural values and its natural resources, and making a positive contribution to the community’s quality of life.

The relationship between CBJ and the visitor industry has evolved over the years. Through investments in infrastructure, management tools, and in programs like Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP), Juneau has managed tourism growth, and is recognized as a progressive destination that actively manages its visitor industry. At the same time, Juneau is a marquee port that needs to constantly continue this local and regional self-reflection.

VITF 1.0 met from 2019-2020 and represented CBJ’s first public engagement deep dive on tourism in over a decade. The original VITF addressed issues of short-term tourism management, long-range planning, and data collection. The 2026 version both aims to build on the work done in the past and to contribute to the regional strategy work underway through Port Communities of Alaska.

The task force will meet for six months in 2026 and will take public testimony before completing its final recommendations. Residents are encouraged to submit comments to the VITF at any time in the process via our online comment form.