“I could fill this place” – News Flash

Raf of Africa Oriental Travel says “I have groups lined up, but I’m not sure I should bring them”

Raf jumped straight in, “I love this Island, I want to keep coming back. It’s beautiful, it has so much to offer on land and sea.”

Diving is the most successful attraction in St Helena for travellers from overseas. “I could fill this place bringing more diving groups here,” said Raf. Right now, there are two groups lined up from the United States but I’m not sure I should bring them”.

The big concern for Raf is, will the weather at the airport runway mean the ten diving destinations offered by Africa Oriental Travel could become nine – if St Helena is crossed off the list?

This is the first time the weather is the reason for a flight cancellation in January. Is this a one-off or the start of a trend? Flights were also cancelled in December and November, as well as in the usual mid-winter months.

Has climate change caused St Helena to have a peak tourist season which will be increasingly damp, misty and generally useless for tourists? We don’t know. Nobody knows, but uncertainty is not good for a travel operator who risks lots of money up front, hoping tourists will book the packages offered.

Much more in tomorrow’s Independent