MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Successful tourism season for the Falklands.

?We had as many cruise ships visiting the Islands this season as Montevideo experienced', enthused John Fowler, Manager of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

With just four cancellations due to bad weather, sixty-one ships carrying nearly 28,000 passengers, docked in the Islands. With the newly introduced landing fee of £10 per person, the Falklands Government took in approximately £280,000.00 ($US 400,000) in fees, during the 2002/03 summer season.

?The increased activity in cruise vessel arrivals benefited many people in many sectors. We know that the local shops took more than £1 million ($US 1.6 millions) while tour companies, taxis, pubs and restaurants reported increased profits', maintained Mr. Fowler.

He admitted that the events of 11th September 2001 in New York had brought the fear that a vast number of Americans might cancel their cruise ship bookings. ?Thankfully it seems not have affected the American market too greatly and the number of United States citizens visiting the Falklands exceeded our expectations', he said.

Although accurate figures were difficult to obtain, a survey revealed that each visiting tourist spent around £36 (55 dollars US) on average, while visiting the Falklands.

Mr. Fowler was particularly delighted with the increased number of ships that began and ended their Atlantic and Antarctic cruises in the Falklands. ?This is a most valuable addition to our increasing stature as a well-organized Country in terms of stability and reliability. The passenger exchange charter flights went smoothly throughout, and the assistance of the British Forces at the International Airport at Mt. Pleasant was greatly improved'.

He also welcomed the increased number of visitors who took the opportunity to visit other locations throughout the Islands, staying in small hotels and comfortable lodges, many on ?package tours'. Mr. Fowler said, ?Our statistics show that more than sixteen hundred people enjoyed the tremendous wild-life which the Falklands have on offer all over the Islands. This is an 800% increase on the figures of five years ago'.

?The Falklands is unique in what it has to offer. I?m sure that it must be some sort of ornithology record, but where else in the world can you hope to see six species of penguins in the one day? On Pebble Island, if you are lucky, there is the possibility of viewing the Magallanic, Gentoo, Rock-hopper, Macaroni, Crested and the few Kings which are around' said Mr. Fowler.

He also reminded prospective visitors that at Volunteer Point ? a 3 hours overland drive from Stanley ? there are now around 1,500 breeding King Penguins in addition to thousands of Magallanic and Gentoo penguins, at the location.

Several new shops opened, in readiness for the 2002/03 season, while facilities for landing passengers from ships were improved also. The new Tourism Centre provided an opportunity for increased awareness of the Islands through brochures and publications. At Gypsy Cove, a delightful small bay just 4 miles out of Stanley, which offers several hundred Magallanic penguins, a couple of immaculate portable toilets have been sited ?complete with classical music accompaniment. One veteran American exclaimed, 'I have never previously used a rest-room with Handel's water music playing away, but it made my task much more relaxing'!

Patrick Watts (MP) Stanley