St Helena visitors on the rise with the best yet to come

The remote South Atlantic island of St Helena continues to prosper with visitor figures rising by three per cent in 2011, according to latest statistics released by St Helena Tourism. Overall, 2,177 visitors were brought to St Helena’s shores in 2011 by the 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel, the RMS St Helena, currently the only regular means of accessing the island.

The UK remains the second largest source of tourists (behind South Africa, the nearest mainland to the island), accounting for 33 per cent of all tourists to the destination. With construction underway for the island’s very first airport, expected to be operational by December 2015, tourism is forecast to grow.

In addition to passengers brought ashore by the RMS St Helena, cruise ship arrivals are also rising. Seven cruise ships called at St Helena in 2011/12 bringing over 2,800 passengers ashore, compared to 1,600 passengers in 2010/11.

A recent survey conducted by the tourist board, reported positive satisfaction levels among cruise visitors, with over 90% of visitors rating their visit as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ with people describing St Helena as ‘a place to rival Eden’. An encouraging 92% said they would recommend the island to their friends. Highlights mentioned including Jacob’s Ladder, the Napoleonic sites and Plantation House – residence of the island’s Governor and home to Jonathan the tortoise – reputed to be the oldest living animal in the world.

For more information on St Helena visit www.sthelenatourism.com. Join the official St Helena facebook page at: www.facebook.com/visit.sthelena.  

May voyages to St Helena

St Helena Line is offering a 30% discount on its May voyages to St Helena on board the RMS St Helena, (www.rms-st-helena.com; 020 7575 6480) departing Cape Town on the 7^th or the 27^th May 2012. Visitors can join the 18-day return trip between Cape Town and St Helena from £1,428 return per person, a saving of over £600 per person, based on an A-Deck cabin with en-suite. 

The discount is applicable on the 10-day sea voyage only and includes all food and entertainment on board this 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel. Passengers will spend eight nights on the remote South Atlantic Island of St Helena where there is a wide range of accommodation available. More information on accommodation and bookings can be made through the reservations staff at Andrew Weir Shipping or the Tourist Office (www.sthelenatourism.com/ enquiries@tourism.gov.sh). The 30% discount is valid on all published fares and all cabin grades and is subject to availability.

With the advent of the island’s first ever international airport, due to be operational in December 2015, take advantage of this great offer and set sail on the RMS St Helena to visit this extraordinary island. Currently, getting to the remote, little discovered island of St Helena by sea is as much a part of the holiday. Located 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, St Helena boasts stunning natural beauty and is steeped in history – perhaps best known for where Napoleon was exiled. 

St Helena Riding the Crest of a Wave with Sea-borne Arrivals on the Rise

More cruise and yacht visitors are being attracted to the remote South Atlantic shores of St Helena according to the latest figures released by St Helena Tourism.

The total number of visitors arriving by sea reached 3,132 in 2010. Cruise ship numbers held up well, but the most impressive growth was demonstrated by yacht visitors, up 15% to 545 in 2010 against 475 in 2009. Significant growth is already being seen in 2011, with yacht visitors in the first quarter already at 507, almost the same level as the whole of 2010. This is no doubt in part attributable to recently improved yachting facilities on the island.

The average number of visitors per cruise ship increased by 75% in 2010 against 2009, from 426 to 748; and cruise visitor numbers are already up for 2011 and 2012. Satisfaction levels among cruise visitors remained extremely high with 96% of visitors rating their visit Good or Above. For most people it was their first visit to St Helena, and 96% said they would recommend the island to their friends. Descriptions of the island included “once in a lifetime experience” and “a paradise”.

According to Janet Shankland, Sales and Marketing Executive, St Helena Tourism: “The upward trend signifies a positive future for sea-borne tourism to St Helena, with more cruise and tour operators attracted by its unique position and remarkable history and nature, best known as the place of Napoleon’s exile.

“Plans to build a new breakwater at Jamestown Wharf with enhanced landing facilities for cruise ships are also underway. This comes as part of a wider investment in infrastructure and the tourism offering under our ‘extraordinary’ branding,” she explains.

Presently the only means of getting to St Helena, located 1,500 miles from Cape Town, is by sea. The island is regularly served by one of the last Royal Mail ships, the RMS St Helena, a 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel. Other cruise lines servicing St Helena include Seabourn, P&O and Silversea. The new breakwater is expected to be completed three years after the contract, currently up for tender, has been awarded.

For more information on St Helena visit www.sthelenatourism.com or The Crusie Line.