St Helena is one of the top 10 world’s most desirable places to visit in 2016!

A Small Speck in the South Atlantic Ocean!

The secret of the south Atlantic is about to be discovered BIG TIME with the announcement in London this week that the Lonely Planet guides have included St Helena into its top 10 places to visit in 2016. 
This will have a marked impact on the numbers of visitors here once the airport opens and also an increase in confidence here that business is going to be hectic next year.

Other destinations on this exclusive list include:
Transylvania, West Iceland, Waiheke Island New Zealand, Valle de Vinales Cuba and also Hawaii which I guess they mean the island of Hawaii rather than the islands of Hawaii.

The airport runway taking shape, please note I didn't take this picture.

Our tourist office is receiving more enquiries as the months tick by to airport open date as are individual businesses. 
We have also received the news this week that there is to be another confirmed flight to St Helena from the UK.  This is initially going to be a one off charter but if successful will become a regular trip.  The airline are called Atlantic Star and have been keen to operate a route to and from St Helena for a number of years now. 

The Rare St Helena Ebony Flowering. No where else on earth can you see this plant.

Longwood House, Home to Napoleon Bonaparte and where he died. Only on St Helena!

Atlantic Star have teamed up with TUI-Fly, Europe’s largest tour operator to provide flights using a Boeing 737-800, flying out of Gatwick and refuelling in Banjul Gambia. 
Sunday March 20th is the planned date for the inaugural flight, which is planned to match the Easter break which is a great time to be here.
Prices are yet to be confirmed but the word on the street is that a return fare is going to be in the region of around £1200 economy.  This is less than the cheapest fare by ship and plane which comes in at about £1500.
People here are already talking about and planning for the visits from relatives who can’t get over because of the time element involved in travelling by ship.  What an Easter its going to be!

Jamestown Main Street. Do you think it might look busier in 2016?