Falkland Islands report rise in cruise visitors

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board is reporting a “significant increase” in visits from cruise passengers this season.

Approximately 22,000 people from 79 countries visited the islands in the South Atlantic Ocean since the southern hemisphere cruise season began on October 20.

The tourist board’s general manager, Jake Downing, said he expects an additional 68,000 visitors on cruises to visit the Falklands before the season ends on April 7.

“We are extremely pleased with the season to date. It’s very encouraging that the cruise market is so buoyant particularly in the current economic climate,” Downing said.

Typically the islands are visited on cruise itineraries that include a number of other ports in South America or Antarctica.

Thus far, over 95 per cent of cruise passengers surveyed rated their stopover in the Falklands as “good to excellent.”

During a Falkland Islands stopover, cruise passengers can enjoy battlefield tours, fishing, walking and wildlife viewing.

Nearly 33 per cent of all cruise visitors to the islands come from the US, with other prominent markets including Brazil, Canada, Germany and the UK.

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.visitorfalklands.com