§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many tourists he estimates will visit St. Helena in each year once(a) the breakwater and (b) the airport is completed. [137227]
Mr. Gareth ThomasNo decisions have been made on whether to build a breakwater or an airport in St. Helena. The possibility of a breakwater, which the island authorities believe would provide safer and assured disembarkation and embarkation at all or most times from and to ships, is to be investigated further for technical and economic viability. For the latest position on possible establishment of air access, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my Written Statement to this House on 16 September 2003,Official Report, column 43WS. Last year, 7,692 arrivals were recorded by St. Helena's Immigration Department. This figure included 5,362 persons landed from cruise ships. The rest included other tourists, business visitors and those visiting friends and families. Consultants estimated in 2001 that total arrival numbers could increase to 14,850 within five years of establishing access by air. The St. Helena Government estimates that largely assured disembarkation and embarkation of passengers from and to ships could alone more than double the number of cruise ship visitors to the island.