Sail Back to the Future

Speaker: Alistair McLean

Company: St Helena Line

St Helena is a remote dot in the South Atlantic and for the 3500 inhabitants access has not changed for generations. The sea is the only route to the island and the RMS St Helena is a unique 128 passenger cargo ship that provides this service. Twice yearly from Portland and with a regular service from Cape Town in South Africa, the RMS is quite literally the lifeline to St Helena.

In recent years the RMS is carrying more and more tourists to St Helena, keen to experience the nostalgia of a sea voyage and to discover a place where few travellers have ever been. Steeped in history (Napoleon was its most famous ‘visitor’) the island is 29 square miles of stunning scenery, dramatic coastline, exotic marine life and bird life, as well as some of the most enchanting people you could imagine to meet. Television was only introduced to the island in 1995 and mobile phones are another world away. Indeed, the art of conversation still survives and the pace of life is tranquil and unhurried.

Come on a journey and explore the richness of the island and discover one of the newest tourist destinations. Be amongst the first to witness the dawn of a new era in St Helena’s history as a new airport due for completion in 2012 brings in a new generation of traveller. Join the debate about how the airport will change the island and hear how the Saints plan to preserve the very nature of the uniqueness that is much of the attraction of St Helena.