MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South Georgia Island visited by 8.000 cruise ship pax

Analysis of the figures from the 2007/8 tourist season shows that tourism to South Georgia in the South Atlantic continues to increase. Sixty-four cruise ship visits were made by 29 different vessels (13 more visits than last year), bringing more than 8000 cruise ship passengers.

According to the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands release this was a 50% increase in passengers compared to the previous season. The trend over the past few years for an increase in the passenger capacity of visiting cruise ships also continues. Six of the ships that came were new to South Georgia. Visitors to South Georgia come from all over the world, people from 50 different nationalities visited, but the majority (66%) were from English speaking countries. Eighteen different yachts made a total of 22 visits last season. About a third of these were on charter to small tour groups or supporting expeditions or SG Government related projects. In 1985 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands became a distinct UK Overseas Territory with a Commissioner as head of the Government. It had previously been part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. The Commissioner for South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) has vested in him, legal, financial and administrative authority and responsibility for the governance of the Territory. A Chief Executive deals with policy matters and is also the Director of Fisheries. An Executive Officer addresses tourism and expeditions and manages fishery patrols. There is also an environmental officer while the Financial Secretary and Attorney General hold similar appointments in the Falkland Islands' Government. The South Georgia Government team is based in Stanley in the Falkland Islands at Government House. South Georgia Island Website