MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Cruise industry is flourishing

THE Falklands' flourishing tourism industry continues to grow, particularly in the cruise ship sector.

Figures indicate a 13 percent increase in the last year, while passengers visiting the Falklands have more than doubled since 2001. In a report released earlier this month, Liz Dimmlich from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board says that a total of 51,282 passengers were cleared by Immigration to land in the Islands during the last season, paying a total of £707,110 in passenger landing taxes to the government. This income was boosted by vessels paying a further £200,570 in harbour dues to Falkland Islands Government. The season was an extended one, starting on October 21 with the Nordnorge and ending some five months later on March 30 with the Norwegian Crown.Stanley is the top destination, receiving 91 of the 182 cruise ship visits with Carcass Island, New Island and West Point respectively being the most popular Camp ports. March 12 was the busiest day for Stanley with 3,947 passengers being cleared from three vessels. Americans are still the nationality most keen to visit the Falklands, with a total of 21,298; 6,736 British people made the journey as did 1,082 Argentineans. Penguin News