News

Lodging occupancy levels in Stanley, which might have been expected to suffer from a drop in tourist numbers due to the recession, have been bolstered this season by the arrival of oil contractors, de-miners and other business visitors.  Tourism agency Stanley Services reported that the 2009/10 season went well with passenger numbers some 12% up on the previous season and January particularly busy.  Sally Ellis of International Tours and Travel (ITT), a travel agency based in Stanley, reported that while Britain continues to provide most clients, this season saw an increase in the number of North American visitors, equalling the number of visitors from Europe. After a slight drop in the recent season, ITT is now receiving bookings for the 2010/11 season at 2008/9 season levels, which indicates a return of confidence. (Penguin News)

A pilot clearance of four minefields in the Falkland Islands has almost been completed by British company BACTEC and a team of Zimbabwean de-miners.  The four target areas selected – Minefield 25 at Goose Green, Minefield 8 (West) at Fox Bay, Minefield 25 at Sapper Hill and Minefield 8 at Surf Bay – have all been safely cleared, except for the latter where one section, expected to contain 16 anti-tank mines, remains to be cleared before the job there is also complete.  The demining experts demonstrated confidence in their work to locals by holding a game of football on the Sapper Hill minefield.  As a signatory to the Ottawa Convention, the United Kingdom is required to remove and destroy all anti-personnel landmines on its sovereign territory, although there have not been any civilian injuries associated with landmines since the 1982 conflict. (Penguin News / Mercopress)

The final amount contributed in the Falkland Islands for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal was £11,243.64. This sum has now been forwarded to the Disaster Appeal Committee in UK.  Fundraising events have also been taking place to help victims of the Chilean earthquake.  The Falkland Islands Government donated £5,000 to each of the funds. (Penguin News)

The first Loligo squid fishing season of the year, which ended on 14 April, is being celebrated by fishing companies in the Falklands as the best for ten years.  Catches over the past seven weeks have exceed 28,000 tonnes and are described as “good quality” by the companies.  Loligo is the Falklands’ native squid which is most often sold to Spain where it is called “calamares”.  The second Loligo season is due to start on 15 July.  (Penguin News)

Legislative Assembly Member, the Hon. Roger Edwards, attended the Forum for Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of the European Union in Brussels, from 23-26 March.  He reported the encouraging news that the Spanish Government issued a press release during the Forum, which warned that at the meeting between the European Union and Latin American countries (EU-LAC), to be held in Spain on 18 May, the Spanish Government would not be supporting Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the Islands, should the Argentine President ask for it.  The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, the press release claimed, was a matter for the British and Argentine Governments to decide without interference from other countries.  The Forum brought together representatives from 27 European countries and 21 overseas territories. With Cllr Edwards were FIG’s Senior Economic and Statistical Analyst, Michael Poole and London Representative, Sukey Cameron. (Penguin News)

Authorities at the Mount Pleasant military base (MPC) have confirmed their interest in developing a wind farm that could bring the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) considerable benefits.  It is planned that the Power and Electrical Section of the Public Service Department, will install the turbines at Mount Pleasant, and the Ministry of Defence will pay FIG for the energy used.  This move would also benefit MPC, with savings on fuel, and helping meet energy saving targets.  The Wind Farm, near the Sand Bay Abattoir, saved £600,000 last year alone, providing 26% of Stanley’s electricity.  (Penguin News)

The parade to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen will be held at Victory Green in Stanley on Wednesday 21 April 2010. The Parade will be followed by a march past at which His Excellency the Governor will take the Royal Salute. Taking part in the parade will be contingents of the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Falkland Islands Defence Force, supported by the Minden Band of the Queen’s Division, and members of youth organisations. Also in attendance will be representatives of the Legislative Assembly and the Falkland Islands Government. Following the parade there will be a fly past provided by the RAF. This important occasion gives Islanders the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to the Crown and pay their respects to Her Majesty, whose presence is symbolised by the flying of the Royal Standard during part of the ceremony.  (Penguin News)

A press release can be read here:

• Falkland Islands Celebrate the Queen’s Birthday

With the global tourism outlook improving, overall tourist arrivals in the Falklands are forecast to increase by 17% in 2010.  New research unveiled by the Tourist Board this week highlights what a challenging year for Falkland Islands tourism 2009 has been. However, despite the disappointing results, inbound tourist arrivals to the Falklands are expected to increase by over 17% in 2010, with 4,950 overnight tourists anticipated to visit the islands, spending almost £2.7 million. The latter part of 2009 (October – December) demonstrated positive signs of recovery with leisure tourism arrivals in 2009 exceeding numbers for the same period in 2008. This came as the international marketplace regained optimism with consumer confidence returning.

To read the press release in full, click on the following link:

• Falklands Tourism Expects Brighter Future.

The Falkland Islands Government welcomes Desire Petroleum’s announcement regarding well FI 14/19-1 (Liz).  The Hon. Emma Edwards, Member of the Legislative Assembly, congratulated Desire Petroleum on completing the well and said: “The Falkland Islands Government looks forward to receiving more detailed results.”

The announcement to which this press statement refers can be read here:

• Desire Petroleum plc Gas Discovery press release.

A press release from Rockhopper Exploration on the same topic can be read here:

• Rockhopper Exploration plc Gas Discovery press release.

Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant says the UK and Argentina agree there is “no return to the 1980s” regarding the Falklands, which he underlined are British as long as the Islanders so wish.  In an interview with the Mexican daily Excelsior, Bryant also revealed he had talks with Argentina’s Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana and that relations with Buenos Aires – with the exception of the Falklands issue – were strong.