Alaska’s Capital Ponders the Future as Tourists Flood In and its Glorious Glacier Melts Away

Record Number of Tourists Expected in Juneau, Alaska as Mendenhall Glacier Melts

JUNEAU, Alaska – Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, is bracing for a record number of tourists this year as the Mendenhall Glacier continues to melt due to climate change. The glacier, a popular attraction for visitors, is receding so quickly that it may no longer be visible from the visitor center by 2050. As a result, city officials are now considering how to manage the influx of tourists and reduce environmental impacts.

The Mendenhall Glacier, a vast expanse of gray, white, and blue, attracts visitors from around the world who come to see its beauty by kayak, canoe, and foot. However, the glacier has been retreating at an alarming rate, losing about eight football fields’ worth of ice between 2007 and 2021. The thinning of the ice due to warming temperatures has been the main cause of this loss. As a result, trail markers now memorialize the glacier’s former location, and vegetation has grown in its wake.

The impact of the glacier’s disappearance goes beyond tourism. Scientists are concerned about the potential effects on the ecosystem, including the habitat of salmon. Nevertheless, officials from the Tongass National Forest, which oversees the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, are preparing for increased visitation over the next 30 years. They have proposed new trails, parking areas, an additional visitor center, and public use cabins at a lakeside campground.

While researchers do not expect the glacier to disappear completely for at least a century, officials are contemplating the future of tourist attractions that rely on the glacier’s presence. The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, located southeast of Anchorage, once drew around 400,000 visitors annually, but now only about 30,000 people visit each year, as the Portage Glacier has become less visible. The Tongass National Forest is considering how to keep such visitor centers relevant in the face of disappearing glaciers.

Juneau, known for its rainforest and vibrant Alaska Native arts community, is expecting around 700,000 visitors this year, with projections of 1 million visitors by 2050. To manage the influx of tourists, city leaders and major cruise lines have agreed to a daily limit of five ships next year. However, critics argue that the size of the ships is still a concern. Some residents are even calling for one ship-free day per week.

Tour companies in the area are also feeling the strain. While demand for tours to the glacier remains high, operators are reaching their limits. Officials are encouraging visitors to explore other sites or find alternative ways to reach the glacier. Despite concerns about sustainability, many tour operators believe that Alaska’s natural beauty will always attract visitors.

As the Mendenhall Glacier continues to melt, the city of Juneau and tourism officials are starting to discuss what a sustainable tourism industry in southeast Alaska should look like. They are considering measures such as building new trails to accommodate tourism companies. However, some long-time residents worry that the current level of tourism is not sustainable and that the planet cannot support an ever-increasing number of visitors.

As Kerry Kirkpatrick, a Juneau resident, explains, “There’s too many people on the planet wanting to do the same things.” She emphasizes the need for balance and the ability to say “no more” to protect fragile ecosystems and preserve the natural wonders that attract visitors in the first place.

In conclusion, Juneau is bracing for a record number of tourists this year, even as the Mendenhall Glacier continues to melt at an alarming rate. City officials and tourism managers are working to manage the influx of visitors and reduce environmental impacts. While the disappearance of the glacier poses challenges for the tourism industry, officials are considering measures to adapt and ensure the sustainability of the region’s attractions. However, concerns about over-tourism and the need for balance remain key considerations for the future of tourism in southeast Alaska.

Original Story at apnews.com – 2023-08-06 13:47:00