falkland islands FEATURE 43
“People comment the Falklands are an expensive destination yet clients should know that they are 100% guaranteed to see great wildlife
here all day, every day” SALLY ELLIS, MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL TOURS & TRAVEL
Left: Basking in the Falklands sunshine, an elephant seal on Sea Lion Island. This and all images in this feature were taken by Mark Stratton
Adventures,” added Appleton. Breeding season highlights including elephant-seal births, penguin chick rearing, and nesting albatrosses, is conveniently staggered throughout September- March during the South Atlantic’s spring and summertime when temperatures are warmish (around 10C-15C), although usually windy. The island’s annual tourism period is almost entirely concentrated within this period. The unique access to wildlife has caught the eye of many tour operators. “We are seeing a steady growth year on year,” commented David Nichols, Product Manager for Journey Latin America. “The Falkland Islands are
becoming better known for offering some of the best wildlife viewing in Latin America”. Sally Ellis, MD of Falklands- based International Tours & Travel, said its clientele are “professionals or retired people, mostly from the UK and Netherlands/ Germany, but also the USA”. Ellis also notes a degree of brand loyalty. “The relatively large number of repeat visitors is testament to the quality of wildlife and photographic opportunities,” she added.
Yet the Falklands presents logistical challenges: mainly insuffi cient international fl ights and limited accommodation. “The land-based tourism
market is not growing at any speed because top destinations like Sea Lion Island are virtually fully occupied during high season around November to February,” highlighted Ellis. Jenny Luxton, Manager of Falkland Islands Holidays, echoed the dilemma of demand. “Bookings for 2014/2015 are very promising but already nearly full because of the limited accommodation available. We’re now taking enquiries for 2015/2016”. Likewise, the Falklands is crying
out for extra airlift as only two options currently exist: one is the expensive MOD Airbridge out of Brize Norton via Ascension Island – at over £2000 return. The other is Chilean airline, LAN, but its service runs just once a week and involves a wearying 24-hours-plus schlep from London via Santiago and Punta Arenas. Cox and Kings softens this journey by marketing the Falklands with longer stopovers in Chile or a few days in its pleasant capital, Santiago.
www.sellinglonghaul.com
52° SOUTH W O R T H T H E J O U R N E Y
International Tours & Travel
www.falklandislands.travel . tel +500 22041
Falkland Islands Photos & Design - Georgina Strange :: Design In Nature 2011
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