Falklands’ Cruise Season Nabbed Record High Number of Visitors

Falkland Islands Tourist Board Manager Jake Downing confirmed that over 67,700 cruise ship passengers were cleared to land in the Falklands between October 2007 and April 2008, up a staggering 32 percent from the 2006/2007 season.

A total of 46 different vessels visited the Falklands during the season, as compared to 42 in 2006/2007. This included ten maiden calls from Ocean Nova, Hanse Explorer, Fram, Peace Boat’s Topaz, Grand Voyager, Boudicca, Azamara Journey, Spirit of Adventure, Costa Cruises Costa Victoria and Minerva.

Local increases are set to continue with cruise holidays experiencing unprecedented growth across the globe. CLIA, the official trade organization of the cruise industry of North America, recently revealed that 43 new ships with a total of 106,000 berths will be operational before 2010.