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The Falkland Islands Tourist Board's Managing Director Confirms Future Plans.

Saturday, October 18th 2014 - 13:40 UTC
Full article 40 comments

Tony Mason, Managing Director of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board has today confirmed with MercoPress he will be expanding the tourist boards operation in London early next year. Read full article

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  • Think

    TWIMC

    Article says...:
    1) - “Mr. Mason has overseen the most successful time in the countries tourism development, which has seen a significant rise in cruise vessels and land based passengers visiting the Islands, an increase in tour operators and travel agents selling the Islands, built a tourism enterprise which has increased to the country’s GDP, taken the country to global events such as World Travel Market, redeveloped the tourism centre and developed strategic partnerships which will see the country’s tourism development strategy continue to move forward.”
    And...:
    2) -“It was announced that Mr. Mason was planning to engage a larger operation in the UK, which would expand the reach of the tourist boards global tourism strategy. This would most likely see Mr. Mason returning to London next year to oversee the strategy and would also mean recruitment for a new Managing Director to be based in Stanley”

    Or, in plain Engrish...:
    1) - Mr. Mason has, according to FIG(leaf's) own statistics, overseen a 30% reduction on the total number of tourists visiting them Islands during his two year long employment period...
    And...:
    2) - Mr. Mason is completely fed up with the provinciality of Puerto Estanley and wishes to return to London keeping, of course, his “Pom Super Brain” wages...

    Smart Pom this Mr. Mason...
    Too smart...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 03:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Actually it is all seems to be going swimmingly for the Falkland Islanders.

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 04:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    @1

    Sour grapes, much?

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 04:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Anglo Turnip at (2)l
    Suuuuuure.....
    Especially if you don't read their own official statistics, but conform yourself with drinking MercoPress's Kool-Aid...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 04:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    Personally, I really don't understand all this desperate carping about economic development in the Falklands. Surely, when that glorious day comes, when the whole world unites to confer at long last on poor, poor Argentina the territories of the British South Atlantic and Queen Elizabeth Land, economic development just means the pickings will be all the richer? I mean, according to Hepatia, the glorious day is only 22.5 years away, and I believe the Timerman clock is also showing the same countdown. Shouldn't Argentina be investing?

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 04:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    He's legging it alright....wonder how the conversation went....
    “Erm...we have ben having a lot of success promoting the Falklands in the UK, I think it would be a good idea for me to be over there permanently and have a manager take my place here...How's that sound...?”
    “Hey I could even travel around Europe and the States promoting....put it down as expenses eh!”
    Now if we go over the full salary and accommodation in the UK details....don't worry I'll stay till the seasons over ”.... ;-)

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 05:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Mr. Tony Mason....

    Yet another sweet talking, highly paid, under performing Pom....

    Only difference is that this one is not content with just returning home after having skimmed the cream in the Colonies...

    This one wants to return home and continue skimming from London...

    But don't take my word for it...

    Read the official FIG (leaf) tourism statistic since Mr. Mason nomination, some two years ago and draw your own conclusions...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 05:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Hey Falklands Govt....it would make more sense to employ someone part-time to represent the Falklands Tourism... from the UK...and at a fraction of the cost...
    I have several contacts in Presentation that might be interested...
    ..and Graphic Design is very much my own forte...
    ...get in touch...
    or at least think about it...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 05:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (8) Voice
    I like your style but......
    For the life of me..., I can't understand why you voted NO.

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Lots of blatant jealousy here today. Very niace...!

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 06:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    9 Think
    Too many fingers in too many pies to take the risk and 90% of that is in Scotland...
    Some in England and I suppose a little bit in the US...
    Also didn't fancy the Euro and that would have been inevitable, to join the EU...
    ...but like yourself, I do recognise a Chancer when I see one...;-)
    ...for anyone that doesn't understand the term...
    Chancer ( an unscrupulous or dishonest opportunist who is prepared to try any dubious scheme for making money or furthering his or her own ends. )

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 06:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (11) Voice
    Soooooo...
    To be perfectly clear...
    What you are trying to say is that if it wasn't for the money, you would have voted YES?

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    12 Think
    Yeah probably...it's a romantic notion, but I would have liked Scotland to stand on her own two feet and face the world for better or for worse...
    Hearts and minds...the mind won....;-)
    .....and the right choice, now that oil isn't worth sh!t....

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 06:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Here we go, Scotland ,,,,,
    just a matter of time before it was brought up,

    these argies are getting desperate,

    After all,
    who's official statistics would you read,, their own or Argentina's.lol,

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 07:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    14
    Not my fault...ask me a question...I tell no lies..

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 07:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    So nice to find the trolls on this heavy weight of stories....

    Why, shouldn't they be fawning over their glorious leader and her magnificent achievement of launching a satellite? ( standing on the shoulders of giants?? )

    But anyway. back to this story... As it has the attention of Voice and our resident woman hater ( Think ) then it must worthy of a comment ...... no?

    So the Falklands is on the up and up..... Now when the Top Gear Christmas special hits our screens ( and it will ) and everyone sees the Argentines in their true colours ( “Look at this everyone, this is how people in argentina settle their differences of opinion” ) and given the rising crime rate, the crippling inflation.. oh yes, and the free falling peso.

    How many tourists are planning to come to argentina this season?

    ..........and how is the cruise schedule for this season shaping up? I bet the passengers can be assured a warm welcome in argentina thanks to La Campora........

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    15,
    not you, just them...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (14)
    Be quiet, you http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9t_KDGqOmE

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 07:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    [18]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvIFRNbqOs
    strike back..

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 08:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    “The Falkland Islands Tourist Board's Managing Director Confirms Future Plans.”

    wow, great news.
    surely the millions of tourists that usually go to paris, barcelona, caribe, ibiza, milano capri, las leñas, iguazú, cerro castor and other top class tourist destinations, are going to change their plans and go to the islets now...LOL

    stop reading mercaprensa and noticias pingüino, you brainwashed islanders.

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 09:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    says a brainwashed argie..
    Jealousy and envy will get you nowhere..
    British Military Power Demonstration | 2014 | HD
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkOeokoKo
    …………
    British Military Power Demonstration | 2014 PT2
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkOeokoKo
    ///////
    UK sniper kills six Afghan insurgents with a single bullet in 2013
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkOeokoKo
    ////
    Longest Sniper shot in the World by a British Soldier on the Taliban 2009
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkOeokoKo
    //
    British Special Forces SAS Documentary - Operation Barras
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkOeokoKo
    ///
    Tourist love the brits in the south,
    and laugh at the argies..lol

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 09:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jay Bee

    Well this looks like a win win situation.

    Win 1.
    The Malvinistas seem quite convinced that the Falklands' tourism industry is going down the drain and yet the tourist board is pouring money into it and are being conned by the manager who wants nothing more than to go home. The dumb Kelpers who know no better are destroying themselves. The Malvinistas are happy!

    Win 2
    The Falkland Islands Tourist Board likes the figures they're seeing. Projections for the next two years are good and they've had assurances from the companies who had to take spur of the moment decisions not to call into the Falklands when the Argies started burning tyres and banging their pots a couple of years ago. The tourist board is working hard to secure new business and they've decided to open a presence in London; smart move because London is one of the undisputed business capitals of the world. So the tourist board is happy, they can afford it (they receive no handouts from the UK; it's all Falklands money) and they've decided to go for it. The Falkland Islanders are happy.

    Everybody's happy!!

    WIN WIN

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 10:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    20. Cerro Castor is not a top tourist destination. It is an icy hill that's not worth trying to ski down.

    Never been there have you...

    Oct 18th, 2014 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Paul-carrion is only posting as a secret Anglophile. He is the ultimate wannabe in denial.
    arf! Arf!
    How amusing!

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 12:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    I thought it was time to show my ugly mug on here again although Mrs Bloggs has already started shouting to see why I'm not outside working on the paths. It's been so long (July I think) since I've been here that I couldn't remember my login and had to set up a new account!

    Speaking of tourism, we had our first cruise ship in on Friday and all seemed to go well. The new pedestrian crossing on Ross Rd (just opposite the cathedral) seems to have caused a bit of controversy. It's a raised up one like you see in the UK, often on High Streets. FB had a right little session on it a few nights ago; people think it's an unnecessary silent policeman. I took the 110 over it the other day and can't really see what all the fuss is. Might even take the Disco over it today.

    Speaking of speed deterrent devices, the local Bill have been busy lately with their speed gun booking lots of people. Lots of cries of “unfair, he was hiding with his speed gun” and “the speed limits are too slow” etc. It doesn't bother me; I say if you're speeding you are fair game. I wish the Bill would spend more time on Davis St!

    This cruise ship season looks set to be similar in numbers to last I think but from what I hear they are expecting increases next year and the year after. A big new ship soon to come on line down in this area.

    Well, the sun is shining and there is more work to do on the retaining wall and paths. About 3 weeks should clean it all up and then it's onto the bathroom renovations.

    I look forward to catching up with my favourites on here over the coming weeks. Might give it a good old go up until Christmas. Mrs Bloggs is getting quite agitated now so time to go.

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 12:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    23
    and what can you know about cerro castor?
    have you ever done skiing?
    no?
    then shut it.

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 06:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    We thinks Pauly want to be a brit.

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    26 Briton

    Not only does he want to be a Brit, but he's dying to impress us.

    It's a little different from putting down his fellow students at his backwater Technical Institute though. Ja ja!

    Paul has no arguments.

    He brags about his activities or his expertise, but when challenged

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 08:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Paulie definitely wants to be acknowledged by the British.
    Bit odd, but I guess his Real Life existence is very narrow.

    Oct 19th, 2014 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    ...but when challenged, he tries to intimidate others and denounce them.

    He doesn't accept or understand that others have routinely experienced the activities he brags about, like skiing, surfing, etc.

    I suppose it's unusual - where he comes from LOL !!!

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 12:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    this poor soul “Mr Mason” (lol) should concern about the lack of real, authentic hotels in the islets.
    i mean they don´t even have 1 (one).
    just homestays, hostels and those 1 star “hotels”...lol.

    what can they expect of tourism with that poor infrastructure?
    nothing i guess.

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 01:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Nino

    you yap a lot without saying anything.

    Just more juvenile taunts.

    yawn

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 01:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #31
    The tourists coming to the Falklands are not coming for 5* hotels or infrastructure of the standard of a large town. That is not what they want. The charm of the islands is the proximity of the natural landscape and wildlife and the absence of the bustle and crowds associated with “popular”resorts.
    The Falklands have a niche market which is growing. A main attraction is the lack of crime and a feeling of safety to wander freely - excluding land mines left as a present by their unwelcome neighbours.

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Benson

    @31
    Pretty sure Malvina House is more than a “1 star” but than Paulie doesn't concern himself with trivial little things like the truth.

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 10:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • M_of_FI

    A lot of Argentine posters on here claiming they know what is going on. They just prove that ignorance is bliss. It must be fun to create fantasy and distort reality 1000s of miles away to suit their own warped version of life.

    It is fun to sit here and read what they think is going on and knowing how wrong they truly are.

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 02:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    They are but children who have never grown up,
    to them everything is a game,

    that's why no one takes them seriously..

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 06:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (35) Clyde15

    You say...:
    “A main attraction is the lack of crime and a feeling of safety to wander freely”

    I say...:
    Lack of crime.........? Of course!.... 2,000 souls and nowhere to hide :-(
    Wander freely.......? You seem to be under the impression that them Islands possess, as Scandinavia or Scotland, a “Freedom to Roam” tradition...
    Nothing further from the truth!
    Them Kelper landowners are even more enclosed than the worst Sassenach!

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    @37

    They don't have minefields in Scotland and Scandinavia either, of course.

    Oct 20th, 2014 - 08:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JohnN

    Regional tourism note:
    - Video of preparation and making of the South Georgia Street View: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2-5WahYl-M
    - Link to Google Street View album: www.google.com/maps/views/streetview/south-georgia-island
    **SEPTEMBER SOUTH GEORGIA NEWS AND EVENTS:
    - Top Marks For SG Patagonian Toothfish Fishery Certification
    - Significant Progress Made In 2014
    - Gough Island Top Priority For Future Eradications
    - Fishing and Shipping News
    - History Of Reindeer – New Stamp Release
    - Tri, Tri and Tri Again
    - Shackleton: Recreating The World’s Greatest Journey Of Survival
    - New Books
    - Bird Island Diary
    - South Georgia Snippets
    - Dates for your Diary
    READ CONTENTS HERE: www.sgisland.gs

    Oct 26th, 2014 - 03:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #37
    So. what you are saying is that the Falklands ARE a safe place for tourists....excluding the the legacy of the Argentinian minefields, belligerent Elephant Seals and “Johnny Rooks”.
    I used the expression “wandering free” possibly in error however I was under the impression that access to the countryside was free.
    Maybe an Islander could shed some light on this.

    Do you speak with first hand knowledge of life on the Falklands or even Scotland ?

    Oct 26th, 2014 - 10:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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