St Helena : St Helena TOURISM UPDATE
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 30.09.2012 (Article Archived on 14.10.2012)
St Helena is exceptional amongst the UK Overseas Territories in that it is the only Governor’s Residence that is open to visitors, by arrangement with the Tourist Office. Businesses within the tourism sector have been advised that tours at Plantation House are to be restricted over the next few months.
NEWS FROM ST HELENA TOURISM
TOURISM UPDATE
Plantation House Tours
St Helena is exceptional amongst the UK Overseas Territories in that it is the only Governor’s Residence that is open to visitors, by arrangement with the Tourist Office. Businesses within the tourism sector have been advised that tours at Plantation House are to be restricted over the next few months. This temporary limitation applies only to visits to the interior of the property. Visitors and residents will continue to be able to access the paddock to view the exterior of Plantation House and to see the tortoises. The Governor is aware that Plantation House is a significant point of interest for tourists and every effort will be made to accommodate tours if safe and practical to do so.
Plantation House is a busy working building as well as home to the Governor. The need to temporarily limit tours is due to an exceptionally heavy official programme at Plantation House during which guests will also be staying at the house. With such a heavy schedule ahead it is not possible to guarantee that the house would be ready for viewing. Trying to prepare the house for viewing in addition to managing the official programme would impose an additional and unacceptable burden on the staff at Plantation House.
Maintenance work will be undertaken to the house and its contents during the period when the Governor is off island. Some major pieces of furniture will be removed to be repaired and re-upholstered, carpets will be removed to be properly cleaned, curtains will be replaced, pictures will be moved and walls made good. The FCO has kindly provided funds for essential rewiring of the house to be completed and for the fireproofing of doors throughout the house which it is hoped can be finished during December. The work being done will improve the safety and appearance of the House.
The RMS St Helena goes into dry dock once a year for repairs, cleaning, painting and so on. Similarly, Plantation House, which in the past 12 months has welcomed a huge number of guests at many different functions, needs adequate time for maintenance; clearly it is best to do this when the Governor is away.
World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day takes place this Thursday, 27 September, and is, as usual, being supported by St Helena Tourism. This year’s theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Energy”. There will be displays and information at the Tourist Office, and further information about this is in the media.
Dolphin Watching Trip
A dolphin watching trip is being planned for Sunday, 7 October. If you are interested in going to see the island’s dolphins, along with seabirds and other wildlife, then please contact the Tourist Office on 2158.
St Helena Tourism
26 September 2012
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