MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

After 30th anniversary of Falklands’ war, “things will calm down”, estimates cruise industry

Sulivan Shipping’s Tourism Manager Ms. Marsh: “Falklands will continue to feature on many itineraries.”

Key players from the Falkland Islands cruise industry attended the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami last week, when they were also delighted to receive an award from Cruise Insight Magazine for Best Destination Experience.

As well as members of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board and the Falkland Islands Company Ltd, Sulivan Shipping’s Tourism Manager Samantha Marsh made the journey to the event saying it was a key opportunity to meet clients and network with new companies, as well as being a great opportunity to promote the Falkland Islands in general.

Sulivan Shipping is also a member of The Worlds Leading Ground Operators, (TWLGO) which holds their AGM during Cruise Shipping Miami. This organisation is an association of independent inbound operators who specialise in the operation of land programs for the world’s top cruise lines.

This event gives us the chance to share information and ideas with other members of TWLGO, said Miss Marsh soon after her return to the Falklands on Saturday.

“The current political situation was a topic of concern for many of our clients, especially after two ships got turned away from Ushuaia this season, by Argentine officials enforcing a decree put in place by Cristina Kirchner last year banning ships sailing from the Falklands from entering South American ports”.

Despite this, she said the general feeling was of optimism that things will, “calm down after the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War in June and the Islands will continue to feature on many itineraries.”

As a result of Sulivan Shipping’s efforts there are two new ships making their inaugural calls to the Falkland Islands next season: MV Voyager and MS Princess Daphne.

Also in Miami was the Falklands Tourist Board General Manager Paul Trowell who also viewed the event as a valuable tool for the Falklands.

“For over 27 years Cruise Shipping Miami continues to be the leading international exhibition and conference serving the cruise industry, bringing together suppliers and buyers for a week of networking sourcing and education,” he said, adding, “No other event in the world attracts such a broad range of industry players with over 1,800 cruise line owners and operators from 66 companies in attendance in 2011.”

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board has been attending since 2009 and continues to support the event which he said, “produces great opportunities to network with key decision makers in the cruise industry”.