MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Fears of terrorism aftermath in travel industry.
Concern that world fears about terrorism may result in fewer American cruise passengers visiting the Falkland Islands has been expressed by Councillor Mike Summers, just back from attending Commonwealth Parliamentary and Overseas Territories conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Harold Briley asked him whether terrorism came up in the discussions after the September 11 hi-jack atrocities in New York and Washington.MS: It did in the Overseas Territories Consultative Council which discussed the likely effects on the various territories, and also to the extent that overseas territories have been discussing with the UK Government financial regulations in those territories that have offshore financial centres. The regulation of financial centres and the fight against money laundering becomes all the more important in the light of what has happened.
HB: That does not affect the Falklands.MS: No, we do not have offshore banking so it does not affect us. There is no money laundering in the Falklands, as far anyone can tell. I think the bank manager can absolutely assure us it hasn't , because he knows all his customers. That is a feature of current financial practice. There is a doctrine of "Know your customer".
No place to hide in Falklands
HB: The Falklands are relatively remote and safe. You have advantages from your remoteness. You don't have any skyscrapers and everyone knows everyone else, pretty well, which is good for you in a sense.MS: That's right. There is no place to hide. Security arrangements on both military and civilian flights have been upgraded. We will adopt all the good practice measures that may come about.
HB : Do you expect to suffer from having fewer cruise passengers as a result of terrorism? There are reports from the United States that fewer people are travelling.MS: That's to be expected. I have not heard of any significant reaction from the travel industry itself. I would expect there may be a significant downturn in numbers, but whether cruises will be cancelled I don't know. The fear is that there will be longer-term economic effects on the cruise companies themselves, possibly putting them in financial difficulties. Some may survive and some may not. There have already been some land-based cancellations from prospective American visitors to the Falklands.
Harold Briley, London
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