Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Monday that his state is "the safest state in the country and quite frankly might be the safest locale in the world at this stage of the game."
Contending that the state's virus management and vaccine rollout is "the envy" of most states, with one of the country's highest vaccination rates and the first to offer vaccines to those 16 and older.
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"We want to make sure the world knows that we are a safe state and that Alaska is open for business," Dunleavey said. "Folks that come to Alaska don't have to worry about the virus."
"We're No. 1," Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski said about Alaska's vaccine success during a senate hearing last week. Noting that 28% of Alaskans had received their first shot and some communities are approaching 90% vaccination, she said, "The rest of the country is looking at the model as to how we were able to do it."
On Monday's virtual press conference, Dunleavy said, "We've had a rough year, there's no question about it. We need the tourism industry, we need cruises."
Dunleavy joined UnCruise Adventures CEO Dan Blanchard and Juneau mayor Beth Weldon for the press conference to promote Alaska tourism.
Blanchard said that if the large cruise ships end up not being able to sail in Alaska this year, 2021 will present a "unique time" in history to visit the state.
"The small towns will be like what they are in the winter and spring," he said. "They won't be jammed with tourists. This is the year to go to wide-open Alaska."