St Helena holidays: Britain's most far-flung outpost to open for tourism
One of Britain's most far-flung outposts is set to open for tourism for the first time, with an airline and hotel group announcing plans for next year.
At present the only way to reach the tropical volcanic island of St Helena, in the South Atlantic, is by a Royal Mail ship which sails from Cape Town.
St Helena, a British Overseas Territory which sits 4000km east of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has a population of just over 4,000. Words: PA.
It is best known as the place where Napoleon was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. With British authorities determined he would not escape, he died there in 1821.
Following news that air services will begin to St Helena next year comes an announcement that a new hotel is to open on the remote island.
Hotel group Mantis is building the 32-bedroom hotel at Lower Jamestown, with work due to start in July and the establishment opening in the first half of next year.
The early part of 2016 will also see the opening of an airport on St Helena. South African airline Comair will begin weekly services from Johannesburg to the island, with flights taking around four-and-a-half hours.
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