MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Regional News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines: Chilean Navy rescues British pilots; Papal cross reaches South Pole; Magallanes: “High income” tourism; Marine park in Carlos III Island.

Chilean Navy rescues British pilots

The Chilean Navy and Air Force in a joint operation rescued early Monday two British pilots flying a helicopter that last Sunday night plunged into Antarctic waters. The two civilian pilots, in the small one engine Robinson 44 chopper, John Quentin, 38, and Steven Brooks, 42, managed a satellite phone contact with the wife of one of them who reached HMS Endurance that then requested support from the Chilean Navy. The helicopter belonging to the Last Great Journey Air Company went down 110 miles Southwest of King George Island while flying from Puerto Williams, Tierra del Fuego, to the Chilean Antarctic base President Eduardo Frei. The pilots were in a pole to pole journey celebrating the one hundred anniversary of the first engine flight ever, accomplished by the American Wright brothers in December 2003. On receiving the British request the Chilean Navy set out in the search and rescue mission involving the icebreaker "Almirante Viel" and its helicopters, plus an Air Force Twin Otter from the Frei base. The search began Sunday 22:10 hours and by 04:15 a helicopter managed radio contact with the British pilots in drifting in the salvage raft. Fifty minutes later the raft was visually detected and by 07:00 Monday morning Quentin and Brooks were aboard the Chilean icebreaker. The helicopter had left Punta Arenas last Friday heading for Puerto Williams, and on Sunday flew to Cape Horn and then for a 5 hours 25 minutes journey to the Chilean Frei Antarctic base, where they were expected at 23:30 hours. However when approaching the Antarctic Peninsula, 20:27 hours, the helicopter reported it was heading to Trinidad island to meet a British vessel. According to the Chilean Navy both pilots are in good health and spirit after undergoing medical check ups both in the icebreaker that rescued them and in President Frei base. Chilean naval authorities are now investigating the causes of the accident. The Chilean Navy pointed out that the flight from Cape Horn was only authorised after the helicopter included salvage rafts, satellite telephone and other emergency equipment.

Papal cross reaches South Pole

A cross with the image of Christ and blessed by Pope John Paul II that was carried by two Italians to the South Pole this season now rests in the Maggirorino Borgatello Museum of Punta Arenas. Father Liberio Andreatta and General Antonio Vizzi from the Italian Alpine forces accomplished the task of carrying the cross to the South Pole as part of an initiative from the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, the Vatican agency that organises and undertakes evangelisation missions all over the world. This is the second time the two Italians are involved in a polar mission: in Christmas 2001 they reached the North Pole with a similar cross blessed by the Pope as a tribute to the new Millennium and world evangelisation. Father Andreatta and General Vizzi left Punta Arenas for Patriot Hills base January 10th with an Adventure Network expedition, reaching the pole by land January 20th. Under extreme conditions, with temperatures below 30 Celsius, Father Andreatta celebrated a symbolic mass dedicating the cross to the eternal glaciers and with the participation of the Adventure Network group that included different creeds. In the improvised altar Father Andreatta placed images of baby Jesus, the Virgins of Fatima and Monte Grappa plus the Cavolo Sanctuary, surrounded by the Vatican and Italian flags. Later the group climbed a near by 1,100 mountain which was named John Paul II in dedication to his 25 years papacy. The "Southern" cross now rests in Punta Arenas, similarly to what happened with the North Pole cross that was donated to the Saint Petersburg Art and Arctic Museum, as symbols of world evangelisation.

"High income" tourism

Even when a majority of Punta Arenas residents have chosen Argentina for their vacations, --taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate--, local operators in Magallanes are most satisfied with the current season that has seen hotels fully booked particularly those that cater for the upper income bracket. "It's a very good season, we're fully booked well into February", said Claudio Ruiz from Hotel Rey Jorge. Similarly Managers from the hotels Tierra del Fuego and Finis Terrae indicated that "since Antarctica has become fashionable we've even had to send passengers to other lodgings". Marta Pérez from Cabo de Hornos, possibly Punta Arenas top hotel is also most enthusiastic, "it has been an exceptional season, our 90 rooms are fully occupied. We recently had the Global Change forum, with tens of scientists, and Chilean president Ricardo Lagos and his delegation, but February is looking most encouraging". Apparently packages that include Ushuaia in southern Argentina and extend to Punta Arenas and national parks such as Torres del Paine are the growing tendency. "These groups of tourists have been coming since early December; January is high season and February this year promises to be equally busy", indicated Americo Levia from Hotel Los Navegantes. "Even when cruise vessels visits have fallen, the number of tourists coming to Magallanes keeps growing", added Miriam Hernandez from Hotel José Nogueira. Regarding Torres del Paine national park, local tourist officials are also encouraged because a quality change is taking place, "there are less hitchhikers and campers" and more high income visitors with a good education level and great respect for the environment and conservation. "These people obviously demand better services and conditions", remarks Jose Mansilla from Ultima Esperanza Region Tourist Office adding that this is exactly what a tourist expert from University of Madrid anticipated. "Mr. Daniel Ferrer warned us that visitors are increasingly informed, increasingly organised, and that we must respond with the adequate services if we are determined to retain this more sophisticated and demanding, but higher income inflow", said Mr. Mansilla. According to Ultima Esperanza tourism records, Americans spend most time in Chile, on average 15,5 days with a per capita daily expenditure of 66,6 US dollars similar to Canadian and British tourists. Vacations figure as the main reason for travelling, 59%, followed by business, congress and visits to family and friends. Most Americans arrive with packages organised by agents and have a preference for historic activities firstly, and then wild life and conservation. Germans follow closely staying in Chile 16 days and spending 56 US dollars per day with vacations as the main motive, 76%, followed by business and family affairs. Another important market are Spaniards who spend on average 13 days, spend 62 US dollars per day, and mostly travel contracting agents for air tickets, lodging and local tours.

Marine park in Carlos III Island

Magallanes Region will have a marine park off shore Carlos III Island in Brunswick peninsula next to Magellan Strait, 190miles Southwest from Punta Arenas, following the Regional Council's approval of the project that is to be included in the list of Chile's Bicentennial agenda in 2010. The area, among other things is ideal for whale sight seeing since tens of them regularly visits the proximity. However the project still has ahead several important hurdles, not least a 3 million US dollars investment. Mr. Miguel Angel García form Magallanes Region Housing and National Assets Office says a three stage approach is now needed, beginning with a coastal and marine protected area declaration, followed by an environmental and tourism potential assessment of the area. Finally an economic viability report that ensures environmental sustainability with financial autonomy. "Actually some of the work has already been done, last November the project received technical recommendation, in December it was considered eligible, which means it's considered a productive initiative", explained Mr. García to La Prensa Austral. Next March the administrative requirements for drafting the bid should be ready, and "before eight months we should have the final results that will enable the project to steam ahead", added Mr. García. The project area surrounding Carlos III Island covers approximately 9,000 hectares with hump whales the main attraction. Chilean authorities believe the area has one of the world's highest concentration of this type of whales after Antarctica.