02 September 2020
Plans to support and sustain the tourism sector progress
Over the past month, the Falkland Islands Government has been meeting regularly with tourism industry representatives to discuss ways to support the sector, given the prevailing challenges it is facing due to COVID-19. This has involved the detailed analysis of a range of measures to support the industry over the next six months, as well as initiatives to help businesses develop greater resilience in the longer term and prepare for 2021 and beyond.
The focus of the meetings and workshops has been on ensuring that people who make their living from tourism are given financial and practical assistance while restrictions on international travel remain in place, as well as looking at proposals to stimulate domestic tourism in the shorter term. Existing general business support measures have also been factored into these discussions and further information on these schemes will be released before the end of September, following consideration by the Executive Council.
MLA Mark Pollard, portfolio lead for tourism, said: “We know that the coming summer season will be unlike any other and this is why we have engaged with people from across the tourism sector to better understand how the industry will be affected by the pandemic in the short to medium term. We not only want to ensure that the sector survives the current crisis, but to put plans in place that will provide greater resilience in the longer term, so that the industry is well-positioned to meet future demand and strengthen its contribution to the country’s overall economic development.”
The details of these proposals are now in the final stages of development and will be subject to Executive Council approval. Alongside a range of economic support schemes, the proposals will encourage domestic demand, including incentives to encourage Falkland Islands residents to explore the many tourist attractions and experiences across the whole of the islands. The focus of the measures will be on supporting the sector in the short term and plan for recovery from the 2021/22 season onwards.