The UK is pursuing actions through the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the International Maritime Organization following the latest intimidation incidents from Argentina against the Falkland Islands and which also involve interfering with the free passage of shipping and free trade.
Uruguay expects 243 calls of cruise vessels during this summer 2012/13 season (October/April) which means, if confirmed there will be a 9.3% increase over the same period in the 2011/12 season. The information published in the Uruguayan presidency web says Montevideo expects 131 calls while Punta del Este 112.
Four members of the crew of an Italian liner are in hospital, including one who is fighting for his life, following an outbreak of bacterial meningitis. The four were admitted to hospital in the Tuscan port of Livorno on Sunday at the end of a cruise by MSC Orchestra liner. A 32-year-old Indonesian crew member is the most ill of the four.
Political pressure on organisers of the Seatrade South America convention held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last week meant the Falkland Islands was ignored during discussions as a tourist destination in the region.
South America was described as a ‘fantastic destination’ for the cruise industry but with an even greater potential said Chris Hayman at the closing ceremony of the two-day Seatrade South America Cruise Convention in Buenos Aires.
High prices was the main disapproval from cruise passengers visiting Uruguay this last summer 2011/12 despite the fact the number of calls was up 31% and expenditure 57% according to the final balance of the cruise season elaborated by the Ministry of Tourism.
An expanded Executive Committee and reorganized Secretariat, new rules of procedure for compliance and dispute resolution issues, and a Marine Committee Safety Advisory were just some of the actions and decisions adopted by Members at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), held in Providence, Rhode Island earlier this month.
A luxury cruise ship stranded at sea for 24 hours because of a fire has safely reached a Malaysian port. The Azamara Quest was adrift off the southern Philippines for 24 hours with 1,000 people aboard after flames engulfed one of its engine rooms Friday night.
The president of the Ushuaia Chamber of Tourism again called Tuesday on the Governor of Tierra del Fuego Fabiana Rios to retract from interpreting the ‘Gaucho Rivero’ bill in a way that bars British or convenience flagged cruise vessels from docking in Ushuaia.
The Patagonian province of Chubut said that contrary to what happened earlier this week in Tierra del Fuego, there is no ban on any cruise vessel flag and all are welcome to dock and make use of the provincial ports’ services, particularly Puerto Madryn which belongs to the South Atlantic sea tourism circuit.