Planning for Cruise Ship Resilience: An Approach to Managing Cruise Ship Impacts in Haines,Alaska

Resilience theory has management implications useful when planning for cruise ship tourism. In small coastal communities, cruise ships often provide welcomed economic incentives that can bolster a waning economy. However, in some coastal communities, the magnitude and intensity of passenger visits can reduce social resilience and induce an economic regime shift that leads to rapid socioeconomic reorganization. The implications of such a regime shift are a loss of economic diversity, reduced social resilience, and a loss of social capital. Planning for cruise ship resilience increases the likelihood of successful coping strategies and addresses the socioecological changes inherent to a cruise ship destination. Both Holling's adaptive cycle and the four principals for building resilience established by Berkes and Seixas are fundamental to a successful management plan.