Nature Lovers Love the Falklands

Wildlife remains the biggest draw for visitors considering a trip to the Falklands. That’s according to new results revealed by a poll conducted by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

Almost three quarters of respondents voted the abundance of wildlife as this South Atlantic destination’s most appealing asset, combined with the white-sand beaches (11% of votes) and fascinating history (15%).

The Falklands are a haven for wildlife.

Picture 227 species of identified birds including 800,000 black browed albatross and 750,000 penguins, not forgetting killer whales, elephant seals and much more. The survey results crowned the rockhopper as the most loved penguin out of the five penguin species on the islands with almost half of voters choosing these feisty birds to be their favourite followed by the majestic king penguins (30%), with just 16% voting for the gentoo penguins.

It’s no surprise then that the travellers most likely to be drawn to the Falkland Islands are birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts (63%), followed by photographers (24%).

Paul Trowell, general manager for the Falkland Islands Tourist Board says: “Wildlife clearly is high on people’s travel agenda and visitors to the Falklands are guaranteed a personal, one-on-one experience with wildlife, and at times be surrounded by more penguins than people! It’s really encouraging that respondents used phrases like ‘natural paradise’ and ‘wildlife haven’ to describe this remarkable destination.”

When quizzed on their favourite travel spots in the Falklands – a 740-plus island archipelago - respondents nominated Pebble, Saunders and Sea Lion Islands as their favourite Outer Islands.

The results followed a social media initiative by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board inviting its Facebook fans to share their views and perceptions on the destination. Questions were posted over a two week period received a total of 1,467 votes from around the globe and generated 22,377 page impressions.

These findings are unveiled as the tourist board forecasts a 6% rise in visitors for the season ahead, to almost 63,000 visitors, up from 60,105 in 2010. (This figure includes inbound overnight tourists, cruise passengers and domestic tourists).

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For further information on the Falklands Islands, visit www.falklandislands.com. Media enquiries should be directed to Lara Jacobs or Suzanne Holiday at Keene on 020 7839 2140 or falklandstourism@keenepa.co.uk.

Become a Falklands fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/naturesbestkeptsecret

Notes for Editors: • The Falkland Islands have a raw, unspoilt quality that entices locals and tourists back time and again. Visitors to the Islands are spoilt for choice with more than 227 species of identified birds (including several of the world’s largest endangered breeding colonies), as well as whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, delicate flora and rugged geographical formations. • The best time to visit the Islands and experience the local culture and wildlife is October to April. The average summer temperature (December to March) is 15º Celsius (59º Fahrenheit) and the Falklands has more sunshine hours and less rainfall than the UK. • There are over 40 international tour operators offering tailor-made packages and escorted tours to the Falkland Islands. See www.falklandislands.com for the latest list. • Visitors can reach the Falklands on the weekly LAN Airways flight via Chile or the charter flight operated from RAF Brize Norton in the UK by the Ministry of Defence.