
AT the end of his first year directing the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Managing Director Tony Mason shares the past year's accomplishments and a vision for the future.

Sights of the Atlantic beaches from the hills surrounding the Uruguayan coast can be admired while travelling to Piccadilly Circus or to Westminster Palace in any one of the 75 London cabs with publicity contracted by Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism began on the 17th June.

Pouring rains and floods have forced the closure of the Iguazu Park, home of the world’s most famous waterfalls in the heartland of South America, shared by Argentina and Brazil, according to reports from the Argentine navy outpost in Puerto Iguazú.

LAN Airlines and its affiliates and TAM Airlines, members of LATAM Airlines Group, were once again recognised as the Best Airlines in South America, receiving first and second place, respectively, according to World Airline Survey, conducted yearly by Skytrax, the prestigious English company dedicated to the world airline and airport industry.

Kate Middleton christened the new ‘Royal Princess’ cruise ship in a ceremony in Southampton. The Duchess officially named the ship as she stood on the naming platform with the ship's Captain Tony Draper. I name this ship Royal Princess. May God bless her and all who sail in her, Middleton said. She then cut the rob that sent a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne crashing into the ship, officially welcoming the new ship into the fleet of Princess Cruises.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) reported to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXXVI) last week and as in previous years, in addition to presenting statistics and estimates of numbers for next season, IAATO reported on the Association’s recent work and activities. This year, there was a heavy focus on the collaborative work that IAATO has undertaken with Treaty Parties and other Observers and Experts in a variety of fields.

Airline profits will be 20% higher than expected this year despite razor-thin margins, according to the industry's main representative body. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said increased demand was helping pack planes to record levels.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Richard H. Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines, has assumed his duties as Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors.

For the first time the Falkland Islands have underlined the significance of the hydrocarbons industry as a fully integrated sector of the local economy as it effectively and successfully moves from the exploration to the exploitation stage with first shipments scheduled for 2017. At the same time it regrets that South American companies are not participating of the logistical opportunities because of Argentine interference.

After becoming the first cruise operator to implement a brand new social media tracking service on their remote voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic earlier this year, Aurora Expeditions has now taken home an award at the 2013 TRAVEL + LEISURE SMITTY (Social Media in Travel and Tourism) Awards.