Beautiful US city votes 'no' to ruin anti-tourist whingers' plot to ban cruise ships

In a nail-biting poll, Juneau, Alaska has decided against banning the docking of large cruise ships in their capital despite concerns of overtourism . The locals were split on the proposition of "ship-free Saturdays" and a ban on July 4 for vessels with more than 250 passengers.

The final count showed 5,788 opposing the restriction after a total of 9,633 votes were tallied. This verdict comes as a blow to those who are exasperated by the influx of tourists , but roughly 1,000 ballots are yet to be counted, expecting official results in mid-October.

Despite the no-ban outcome, city officials are being pressured to address the burgeoning visitor numbers , which hit an all-time high last year at 1.65 million, dwarfing the resident population of 32,000. On peak days, around 20,000 cruise ship passengers can flood into Juneau, setting out to gaze upon its majestic glaciers or partake in whale-watching adventures.

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With access possible only via sea or air, this quaint location is a favorite for its close-up view of Mendenhall Glacier and awe-inspiring landscapes. Karla Hart, a local advocate for the voting initiative, expressed her disappointment to Alaska News Source, citing her deep concern about the detrimental effects of the overwhelming number of shore excursions and the pressure it places on the community.

Ms. Hart expressed her frustration, saying, "The helicopter tours are my number one nemesis," and lamented, "They drive me away from my house in the summer because the noise is incessant.", reports the Express .

She also described the local atmosphere, noting, "[There are] so many tourists and seasonal workers. When you go downtown, you're just trying to get yourself to whatever you need to do and get out. The civility has totally diminished in that downtown core area."