Jamestown is the capital of St Helena. Photo: Darrin HenryJamestown is the capital of St Helena. Photo: Darrin Henry

Plans to develop tourism in one of Britain’s most far-flung outposts are proceeding fast.

Following news that air services will begin to St Helena next year comes an announcement that a new hotel is to open on the remote South Atlantic island.

Hotel group Mantis is building the 32-bedroom hotel at Lower Jamestown, with work due to start in July and the establishment opening in the first half of next year.

The early part of 2016 will also see the opening of an airport on St Helena.

South African airline Comair will begin weekly services from Johannesburg to the island, with flights taking around four-and-a-half hours.

At present the only way to reach St Helena is by a Royal Mail ship that sails from Cape Town.

St Helena, a British Overseas Territory with a population of just over 4,000, is best known as the place where Napoleon was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The French emperor arrived on the island in October 1815 and, with British authorities determined he would not escape, he died there in 1821.

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