The return of the Norwegian Cruise Line to South America this season with nine planned calls to the Falkland Islands “is a massive boost to our cruise ship industry,” Sulivan Shipping Tourism Coordinator Samantha Marsh told Penguin News this week.
“ M.V.Ushuaia” was the Falkland Islands first cruise ship visitor this season, arriving last Friday morning ready to greet their guests from Natural World Safaris on Saturdays LAN flight. The group of 81 had a chance to spend some free time on their arrival in Stanley, before boarding their ship.
“Agency of the Year”, for Sulivan Shipping and “Managing Director” to Roddy Napier, were among the outstanding performers of the Falkland Islands third Tourism Awards presentation which took place at Government House, Stanley, with the presence of Acting Governor John Duncan, tourist board and industry representatives and a large crowd.
The Norwegian Cruise Line operating in South America will be returning to the Falkland Islands for the 2015/16 season after a four year absence, announced Sulivan Shipping Service Ltd. Coordinator Sammy Marsh, who together with the Falklands Tourist Board Manager Tony Mason attended the latest edition of the Cruise Shipping Miami conference.
Working in conjunction with Sulivan Shipping expedition cruise company Polar Latitudes has announced plans for the First Annual Falkland Islands Music Festival (Falkstock) to be held in March as a celebration of the end of season.
The tourist season in the Falkland Islands opened on Saturday with the arrival of the M/V Ushuaia, which with 84 passengers is typical of the many smaller expedition vessels which pay visits to Stanley and also to some of the outlying islands famous for their abundant wildlife.
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, IAATO, with over a hundred member organizations held in April its latest annual meeting in Punta Arenas, Chile with a numerous delegation from the Falkland Islands attending given the growing economic significance of the cruise industry and Antarctica tours.
Argentina’s ongoing attempts to strangle the Falkland Islands economy by intimidating cruise vessels from calling at Stanley and other islands has been picked up by the Daily Mail in an article written by Ian Drury.
This year’s Falkland Islands season has been much quieter than usual with over 19.000 passengers to the first week of March mainly because of cancellations due to weather and technical issues with a handful related to the political situation created by Argentine harassment early on the season, according to industry sources in the Islands.
With the next general election for Legislative Assembly Members for the Falkland Islands Government less than a year away, public consultation has begun on whether the posts should become full time with an appropriate salary paid.