Norwegian Cruise Lines Expands Support for Alaska Small Businesses
ALASKA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is encouraging passengers on its Alaska voyages to support local businesses through the Shop Local Alaska program and the Voyij.com e-commerce marketplace.
When in Alaska, BuyAlaska
Norwegian first announced the partnership with Shop Local Alaska and Voyij.com on May 4, 2021, and now the company is pledging expanded support. The Shop Local Alaska Program is an initiative of BuyAlaska, a program under the Alaska Small Business Development Center at UAA. Voyij.com is an online marketplace exclusively for Alaska businesses with more than 10,000 items listed from more than 150 businesses.
“BuyAlaska and Voyij.com’s partnership on the Shop Local Alaska program brings new revenue to Alaska small businesses that is vital to supporting our local economy,” says Jon Bittner, executive director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center. “This online marketplace has essentially extended the tourism season to a year-round opportunity to share the culture, history, and lifestyle of Alaska to millions of visitors past, present, and future.”
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Norwegian’s expanded campaign launched in December 2021, in time for the holiday shopping season. Guests can browse virtual Alaskan shops on Voyij.com for a wide variety of products, from locally caught fish to Alaskan-crafted jewelry to Native art and clothing. Any Alaskan-owned business can list its products on the Voyij.com marketplace.
“Offering our guests the opportunity to explore incredible destinations is at the heart of what we do, and the support of small businesses within these destinations is critical to our success. During every cruise experience, you will find small business owners who help preserve and share the culture, tradition, and history of their community,” says Dan Farkas, executive vice president and general counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “Alaska is one of our guests’ most popular cruise destinations, and we are doing everything in our power to safely resume cruises to the Last Frontier and encourage direct support via the Shop Local Alaska program, providing much needed relief to the families, communities, and small businesses who rely on cruise tourism for their livelihoods.”
