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Cold Water Tourism: The Falkland Islands

Cold Water Tourism: The Falkland Islands. Stephen A. Royle School of Geography Queen’s University Belfast. Falkland Islands geography. West Falkland. Tussac grass. >700 islands; two substantial— East and West Falkland 12,173 sq km; density 0.2 people p. sq km

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Cold Water Tourism: The Falkland Islands

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  1. Cold Water Tourism:The Falkland Islands Stephen A. Royle School of Geography Queen’s University Belfast

  2. Falkland Islands geography West Falkland Tussac grass • >700 islands; two substantial— East and West Falkland • 12,173 sq km; density 0.2 people p. sq km • Population (2001) 2491; 1989 in the town, Stanley • Whitegrass, low shrubs, no trees; tussac grass at coast and islets • Most land used for rough grazing for sheep • 52˚S; cool temperatures; constant wind, usually westerlies

  3. Falkland Islands history Memorials: 1690 1982 • First sighting (1592) & first landing (1690) by British • First settlement (1764) by French; claim inherited by Argentina through sale to Spain • British, who had settlement from 1765, took islands in 1833 after lawless period in which Britons were murdered • Conflict: Argentina invaded 1982; expelled by British • Overseas Territory; internal self-rule; British pay for defense

  4. Falkland Islands economy Community School in Stanley New roads in Camp • Ship servicing, then sheep farming from 19th century • After Conflict, land reform led to rural-urban migration • >50% income now from fish (mainly squid) licensing • Much investment 1990s in Stanley and ‘Camp’ • Over-dependence on fickle wool prices and squid migration—need for diversification, including into tourism

  5. Falkland Islands tourism sectors www.antarctica-journeys.com • Cruises (34,000 passengers 2003-04) • Luxury >1,000 passengers • Soft adventure • Expedition ships <200 passengers • Land-based (few hundred p.a), arrive by plane • Military market (1500 service personnel on R&R)

  6. Falkland Islands luxury cruises • Mainly elderly Americans • May not specifically choose a Latin American cruise to come to the Falkland Islands • Often ill-prepared and nervous; some do not go beyond the jetty; most seek just the iconic penguin • ‘Does the sea go all the way round the islands?’ • ‘How do you cut the grass on the minefields?’ Stanley jetty—there is more to see

  7. The Falklands for the ‘inquisitive’ Quaint ‘Unspoilt’ ‘Friendly’ ‘Hospitable’ ‘Authentic’ Rural traditions Military history: 1982 British Landscape: stone runs

  8. The Falklands: cold water tourism This beach is mined anyway Gentoos • Lovely beaches, but you swim only for a dare • People come for the wildlife, especially penguins • Also black-browed albatross, caracaras, flightless steamer duck, upland geese, sea lions, elephant seals • Nature red in beak and talon • Off-road driving • ‘Cold water tourism is managing without a hairdryer’

  9. Falklands tourism: choke points Upland Geese UplandGoose Stanley’s premier hotel: 16 rooms • Only weekly flights from Chile • Alternative RAF flights not set up for the tourist market • Argentina restricts use of its air space for Falklands flights • Now no passenger exchanges on the Falklands, which constrains cruise ship schedules • High cost of getting there • Limited accommodation in both Stanley and Camp—natural limit to land based tourists of c. 500 p.a.

  10. Cold water tourism: management Off-road in West Falkland Gypsy Cove, now protected • Gypsy Cove, the only wildlife site accessible by road from Stanley, was damaged by trampling, ‘ruined’ says Falklands Conservation. Now better managed with fences, footpaths etc but few penguins there. • Other sites naturally protected by restricted access, all being off-road with slow & uncomfortable journeys

  11. Role of Tour Guide in relation to Conservation Guard wildlife, habitats and historic sites Understand related legislation and reasons for conservation Inform clients about natural history and sites Dissuade disturbance, damage, collection and handling Encourage participation in biological recording From Falklands Conservation presentation to Falkland Islands Tourist Board Tour Guide course

  12. Falklands tourism businesses 3 2 1 • Owner of Murrell Farm and Kidney Cove Safari Tours • Owner of Long Island Farm demonstrates horse gear • Owners of Guesthouse Port Howard at the airstrip • Some small farms (<8,000 ha) make half their income from tourism; it provides total income for some businesses; they are aware of need for sustainability

  13. Falklands tourism issues • Leakage: the penguin was made in China • Continued political uncertainty regarding Argentina • Access problems and limited infrastructure constrain growth; tourism can only ‘tick over’ until better air access • Full employment and some do not value tourism, despite the medium and long term importance of the industry • Continued need for vigilance regarding management of iconic wildlife in this coldwater destination—sustainability

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