Visitor arrivals to the Falkland Islands were up 3.1% compared to the previous tourist season, confirmed Executive Director of the Tourist Board Stephanie Middleton to Penguin News. The Falklands' season ended on April 7 with total visitor arrivals for the season at 57,496. Ms Middleton outlined how, as with last season, it was the expedition vessels that mainly contributed to the hike in numbers.
Despite the cancellation of two planned ship visits in November, Falkland Islands agencies are optimistic about the prospects for the 2017/18 cruise season. Carli Sudder of Sulivan Shipping Ltd told Penguin News she thought the season was looking “pretty good” with some new ships like Silver Muse (capacity 590) and the return of others like Island Sky (capacity 114).
The Falkland Islands cruise season came to a close last month with 55,633 passenger arrivals visiting the Islands, only slightly fewer than the 56,476 who visited the previous season, reports this week's edition of Penguin News.
The pictures show a giant Russian-made transport plane landed at Newquay Airport in Cornwall before it headed out across the Atlantic to the Falkland Islands. The enormous Antonov AN-124 was in Cornwall to pick up two search and rescue helicopters, before heading out on the rest of its journey.
“ 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.
THE 2014/15 cruise ship season is looking good for the Falklands, with approximately 52,000 passengers due to land with 86 calls to Stanley and a further 113 calls to various Camp landings as well.
Falkland Islands and former Tourism Development Manager for Sulivan Shipping Ltd, Debs Summers, now living in New Zealand has become the first woman ever to join the Board of Directors of leading destinations Management company ID New Zealand.
“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.