Almost two-thirds of residents said tourism improves their quality of life, while 24% cited negative impacts in Wrangell, according to results of a survey conducted by Oregon State University’s Sustainable Tourism Lab.

Economic Development Director Kate Thomas shared the survey results with the borough assembly at its June 10 meeting.

According to the report, 52% of respondents believe tourism brings more benefits than costs to the community, while 20% hold the opposite view.

The university research team conducted the survey online and in person in February, under contract with the borough. The Oregon State program has conducted similar surveys about community attitudes toward tourism in Skagway and Cordova, in Oregon and Costa Rica and Iceland.

More than 240 Wrangell residents completed the survey, almost 15% of the adult community. The strong participation “underscores the community’s engagement and lends additional credibility to the findings,” the report summary said.

“We are sitting in a very positive position, overall,” Thomas told the assembly, noting an increase in visitors since 2024 and its financial benefits to the community. She highlighted the successful docking of a 3,000-passenger cruise ship earlier that day, with few problems reported by residents.

The survey data indicates a generally healthy public opinion toward tourism, though the report cautions that public sentiment could shift without thoughtful planning and management, potentially leading to policies limiting future tourism growth.

Unlike trends observed in many other destinations, older Wrangell residents view tourism more favorably than their younger counterparts. The report suggests this may reflect the long-term residents’ established status and continued economic benefits from tourism.

According to the report, this pattern in Wrangell diverges from typical trends where long-time residents often express greater skepticism, potentially due to witnessing substantial change.

Conversely, newer residents also report high levels of perceived benefit, likely due to choosing to move to an active tourist destination with opportunities tied to its tourism economy.

The report suggests that sustaining positive sentiment toward the visitor industry requires balancing tourism to support residents’ day-to-day experiences rather than eroding them.

Residents also provided input on how tax revenue from tourism should be spent, prioritizing projects that directly benefit the community. Environmental initiatives and economic development also received support, though slightly less than community-focused investments.

Tax receipts from visitors include the borough’s general sales tax on goods and services, and passenger fees charged on cruise ships.

The data underscores the importance of understanding specific community projects that residents prioritize to ensure funding decisions align with their personal views, according to the report.

Borough Manager Mason Villarma addressed citizen concerns about the community potentially losing its autonomy and character due to increased tourism. “The concerns about the town selling out to the cruise lines aren’t valid,” Villarma said at the assembly meeting. “That is never going to happen.”

Wrangell expects maybe 45,000 cruise ship visitors this year and more than 65,000 next year. Though that’s a big increase over 2024, it is tiny compared to the million-plus visitors that cruise into Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway every summer.