The State of Alaska is entering its second summer without cruises causing many businesses to suffer due to no cruise ships visiting the 49th State.
The 1.3 million visitors visited Alaska each year on various cruise lines before the cruise shutdown. Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to raise awareness of Alaskan-owned businesses in port towns that are struggling to survive.
Royal Caribbean Group has pledged its support for the Shop Local Alaska Program, an initiative by the BuyAlaska Program and Voyij.com, an online marketplace exclusively for Alaska businesses.
- The Shop Local Alaska program directly generates revenue for port town businesses by marketing Alaska products to millions of people out of state
- Shop Local Alaska was created as a response to the uncertainty of the 2021 cruise season
- BuyAlaska and Voyij.com have partnered to help Alaska businesses survive the uncertainty of the 2021 summer season and to build economic resilience for the state
“Alaska is the premier destination place in the world,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I am committed to deploying all resources that result in increased partnerships like the “Shop Local Alaska” initiative that spurs Alaska’s economy and directly benefits small businesses across our state.”
The Shop Local Alaska Program will be marketed to guests of the company’s cruise lines — Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. They will be able to browse virtual Alaskan stores and buy with confidence on Voyij.com during this period when cruise ships are not able to take them there.
The site offers a wide variety of Alaskan products; from locally caught fish to beautiful Alaskan jewelry to Native Art to clothing of the North. Any Alaskan-owned business can list their products on the Voyij marketplace.
Alaska businesses continue to be severely impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shop Local Alaska program will be marketed directly to consumers out of the state; however, the website exists as a resource for anyone who is looking to shop and support Alaska businesses. You can explore Alaska businesses at shoplocal.voyij.com.
