Ushuaia, the world's southern most city and gateway to Antarctica cruises expects this 2014/2015 season an estimated forty vessels and 295 calls, according to Tierra del Fuego province port authorities. As usual the first vessel to arrive was Chilean flagged Stella Australis with 210 passengers, at the end of September, which is also expected to close the season in April next year.
An estimated 60.000 visitors will be landing in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile during this 2014/2015 cruise season, according to the manager of the Austral Ports Company, Ignacio Covacevich Fugellie. This includes 54.000 from international vessels and another 6.500 of Chilean flagged cruises on domestic tours.
Uruguay expects a slowing down of cruise activity this season, probably in the range of 10% less vessel calls, particularly in Punta del Este, because of logistics problems with the circuits. However this will be partly compensated by the two Costa Cruise company vessels that will be operating from Montevideo as the starting point and end of South Atlantic tours.
The official 2014/2015 cruise season was recently launched in Chile with the announcement that in the November/April period an estimated 200.000 passengers with 168 vessels calling, will be visiting the country. However in an interesting twist for the industry, Chileans admit that together with the cruise companies they are intent in concentrating efforts in what is called 'repeaters'.
In Chile the summer 'high season' is traditionally January and February when most families chose to take their annual holidays and March the month when things 'return to normal', mostly because children return to school.
The Falkland Islands Tourist Board has been working hard to produce the highest standard of representation for the islands to date. Following a highly successful campaign over the past two and a half years of developing a higher awareness for the Falkland Islands through targeted and high level marketing, promotions and events, have pulled off the most successful of the years promotions.
After the successful nomination of the Falkland Islands as the Best Destination for Wildlife and Nature, awarded by the Travel Agents Choice Awards, the Falkland Islands Tourist Board will be attending the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), which this year will be held in Boca Raton, Florida.
“ M.V.Ushuaia” was the Falkland Islands first cruise ship visitor this season, arriving last Friday morning ready to greet their guests from Natural World Safaris on Saturdays LAN flight. The group of 81 had a chance to spend some free time on their arrival in Stanley, before boarding their ship.
A Dallas hospital lab worker who spent much of a cruise holiday in isolation after possible exposure to Ebola has tested negative for the disease, and in Texas some of the dozens of people still being monitored were expected to be cleared by Monday.
Tony Mason, Managing Director of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board has today confirmed with MercoPress he will be expanding the tourist boards operation in London early next year.