MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
US, UK ‘recession-hit’ economies to impact Falklands’ cruise tourism
Downing anticipate a small growth in cruise arrivals in the 2009/10 season The average annual growth of cruise tourism to the Falklands will not be sustained next season confirmed General Manager of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Jake Downing.
“Cruise tourism to the Falklands has been growing at an average annual rate of 13.9% since 2000, but there are a number of factors at play this year which mean we won’t be able to sustain that level of growth next season,” said Mr Downing.
The affects of the current global economic downturn on cruise tourism is a subject being closely monitored by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.
One of those factors is the global economic climate. Visitors from the USA make up the largest percentage of cruise visitors to the Falklands, and although the North American cruise industry recently declared itself ‘recession-resistant’, there are already signs that this is not necessarily the case.
In the UK, the second most important source market, price cuts are helping to stimulate demand, but the trend towards late bookings is a clear sign of how uncertain holidaymakers are feeling.
It’s not only the economic climate which is affecting cruise tourism to the Falklands at the moment.
Mr Downing said, “Because the Islands are almost always part of a South America and/or Antarctic cruise, the state of cruising in the whole region has a big impact”.
“Some of the challenges we are facing right now include operating costs at ports in the region, fuel restrictions in Antarctica, and other regional issues.”
Despite the challenges, the Falkland Islands Tourist Board is anticipating a small growth in cruise arrivals in the 2009/10 season. “We are forecasting a growth of around 1% this year”, commented Mr Downing.
He added, “In the meantime what we need to do is ensure that our marketing, planning and infrastructure is protected, prepared and developed for the long-term, so that we are able to reap the benefits when the economy picks up again”.
By Lisa Johnson – SeAledPR – Stanley
Top Comments
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Read all commentsThe best possible infrastructure the islands should have is, as soon as possible, a full refurbishing and enlargement of its main port with more cranes, more warehouses with more storage room, berthing and room for larger ships. A certain area should be reserved for large tourist vessels only, for adequate passenger sheltering including sitting & waiting rooms, &c., should they have to wait for shuttles or whatever. A little bird told me that there was a project ready to be started not long ago until some external source stopped it dead, and I wonder now whether it would be mothballed or finally given the go ahead... Cheers
May 19th, 2009 - 09:22 pm 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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