Tourism is an important industry for Wrangell, and one that has typically shown slow but steady growth over the years. A 2019 study by Rain Coast Data reports that the visitor industry accounted for nine percent of all private sector jobs on the island, and made $2.9 million in workforce earnings the previous year. According to the study, a little over 20,000 tourists came to Wrangell in 2018, a six percent increase from 2017. Preliminary estimates of the 2019 tourist season indicated about 26,490 visitors. Predictions for the 2020 season, back then, guessed Wrangell could expect similar numbers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the outlook of the 2020 tourism season uncertain.
Carol Rushmore, Economic Development Director for Wrangell, said that she cannot say for certain how the season is going to go this year, especially when it comes to the cruise industry. Cruise ships make up the majority of tourist travel to Wrangell, according to the Rain Coast Data report. COVID-19 has forced many businesses and organizations to suspend operations. Many national, state, and local officials have also issued shelter in place orders, or have otherwise advised people to stay in their homes and avoid contact with others. In short, the virus has created an environment not conducive for traveling.
Rushmore said that the early part of the season is not looking optimistic. UnCruise Adventures, she said, has recently cancelled all of their scheduled stops in Wrangell until May. She is in regular contact with other cruise lines to try and figure out what their plans are, as well, she said. Another sign of a potentially rough tourist season is the recent announcement by the Port of Seattle that cruise season will be delayed.
"The start of Seattle's cruise season will depend on the status of the public health emergency and the advice of local, state and federal public health officials," the port's March 24 announcement reads. "The CDC has issued a nonessential travel warning and a temporary no sail order for cruise ships, and the State and King County have imposed a number of strict limitations to limit the spread of COVID-19."
On top of all that, she added that they recently decided to largely cancel the Stikine River Birding Festival, a spring event that brings many tourists into Wrangell. Rushmore said they were working to see if there was some way to host a festival of some sort, but many in-person events for the festival are unlikely to happen this year.
However, Rushmore said that it may not be all bad news all year. The later tourist season may see an uptick in travelers. If the pandemic is dealt with correctly and people become more confident, and things return back to normal, she said Wrangell could see tourism much like it has in the past. However, that is up to a number of factors out of their hands. Wrangell will just have to wait and see what happens.
"It's actually very hard to give a definitive answer," Rushmore said. "June, July, and August are the critical months."
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