According to a new survey that captures local economic data, the pandemic-induced pause in tourism packed a fierce punch for communities in Southeast Alaska.<\/p>\n
Owner of Rain Coast Data Meilani Schijvens shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results, the most recent version of the annual survey, with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The survey represents the thoughts of 460 business owners and senior managers throughout Southeast Alaska, including 93 from Juneau. It shows how the suspension of large-deck cruising and other factors affected local and regional businesses.<\/p>\n
“The pandemic has impacted Southeast Alaska twice as much as Alaska and three times as much as the rest of the country,” she said, noting that those findings make the region “one of the most affected in the country.”<\/p>\n
Overall, Schijvens reported that between May 2019 and May 2021, the region experienced a 17% reduction in jobs. This compares to a 9% loss throughout Alaska and a 5% loss in the United States.<\/p>\n
The survey, which was conducted in April, captures point-in-time data and compares it to past economic snapshots, including more historically typical years, such as 2019 and the atypical 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year. It also asks business owners to look forward and share thoughts on the future economic outlook.<\/p>\n