Falkland Islands tourism awards celebrate ‘world class product’
Government House hosts Falkland Islands Tourist Board's annual awards ceremony
Acting Governor John Duncan presents Roddy Napier with the Managing Director's Award for his outstanding contribution to tourism in the Falklands
The “world class tourism product” that the Falkland Islands has to offer has been celebrated at an awards ceremony hosted by Government House.
A number of awards were up for grabs including best tour guide, visitor experience of the year and outstanding customer service. The contribution to the industry by Mr Roddy Napier, who was instrumental in securing the first visits by cruise ships to the Islands in the late 1960s, was recognised with a special award from the Managing Director of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.
Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Michael Poole said tourism was the second largest industry in the Falklands and was not only important from an economic perspective but also in terms of public diplomacy: “We have tens of thousands of people that visit here each year and they get to meet with us, get to talk with the people of the Falklands and I think, to a person, they go away with a much better understanding and a much clearer view of what we are about as a people and as a country.” The awards, he said, were a celebration of the “world class product that we have here.”
Acting Governor, John Duncan agreed: “This is a celebration of the warm and welcoming spirit that Falkland Islanders show people who come and visit this wonderful group of islands.”