St Helena is a British Dependent
Territory; a tiny island in the Atlantic, midway between
Africa and South America.  Around 5,000 people live
there, bolstered by 36 births last year.  Some 40% of
the population work in the UK, the Falklands or Ascension
Island.  About 800 tourists visit the island each
year, and the occupancy of the hotels and B&Bs averages
around 15%.  At present, the only way to reach St
Helena is by the Royal Mail Ship St Helena, and this only
arrives six to eight times a year. 

Does all this give you the idea that not
a lot happens on St Helena?  Well, you could be right,
that is, until recently.  Plans are afoot for a
£102 million ($163m) 10 year construction project to
build an airport, runway, a five star hotel, golf course,
and luxury villas.  St Helena Chief Secretary John
Styles is reported to have said: “Access is
crucial……St Helena will be an absolutely niche
market.  We will attract the wealthy tourist who wants
to stay in a superb gold estate on a far flung island, or
tourists interested in the environment and history,
including the legacy of Napoleon, who spent his last years
here.”