§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many tourists have visited the Falkland islands; what was their mode of travel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonDetailed statistics of all individual tourists who have visited the Falklands are not readily available. During the past Falklands summer season three cruise ships disembarked 299 passengers, and since the completion of Mount Pleasant airport in May 1985, 32 tourists have travelled by air. Five air tours operators have firm plans to send groups totalling about 170 people during the next southern hemisphere summer. The Falkland Islands Development Corporation is engaged in a project to expand tourist facilities. This should attract a growing number of visitors; and reduced air fares will be available from 1 July.