Wednesday, October 2, 2024 The issue of “clash days” during the Falkland Islands’ busy cruise season was a key topic at the September Executive Council (ExCo) meeting. The Falkland Islands Tourist Board ( FITB) is actively managing cruise bookings through the 2026/27 season and has been monitoring the potential impact of clash days during the upcoming 2024/25 season. FITB has indicated that only three clash days are currently expected during the 2024/25 season, and the current strategy of no restrictions on the number of ships or passengers will continue as long as the frequency of these days remains stable.
This approach has been agreed upon in consultation with cruise companies, whose bookings are typically made two years in advance. However, FITB has proposed that if an increase in clash days is identified for future seasons, a points-based system for managing cruise ship bookings could be implemented. This system, if approved in 2025, would come into effect during the 2027/28 season.
The Executive Council supported the points-based system in principle, with formal approval to be sought in a future ExCo paper before any implementation takes place. Clash days occur when multiple cruise vessels dock in Stanley at the same time, bringing large numbers of visitors that can overwhelm the local infrastructure and disrupt daily life. While tourism is crucial to the Falklands’ economy, the influx of tourists can be challenging for the small population of 3,600, with around.
