Pitcairn Islands set for cruise tourism boost
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One of the world’s most remote destinations, the Pitcairn Islands, could be set for a tourism boost in 2016, with a rise in the planned number of cruise visits.
Pitcairn Islands Tourism said this week that building on “unprecedented demand for travel” to the islands in 2015, cruise capacity will increase by a further 25% next year, with additional departures allowing visitors to spent between four and 11 days in the Pacific Ocean outpost.
“We have seen demand to visit Pitcairn steadily grow. With increased awareness, Pitcairn is attracting a mix of special interest and environmental visitors, along with those seeking to share the island’s rich history,” said Heather Menzies, travel coordinator at Pitcairn Islands Tourism.
“We have some unique tourism offerings. After all, there are not many places in the world where you can literally dine with the whole country,” she added, referring to Pitcairn’s unique tradition of community dinners.
Cruise services to the Pitcairn Islands are provided by New Zealand’s Stoney Creek Shipping, who operates the 486-tonne cargo-passenger vessel, MV Claymore II. The quarterly service will offer 12 round-trip sailings between French Polynesia and Pitcairn Island in 2016.
Depending on bookings, extended 18 day stays are also available, and those wanting to immerse themselves in Pitcairn culture can arrive on one quarterly rotation and depart on another, enabling a three-month stay.
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 5,500km from New Zealand and 5,700km from Peru, Pitcairn is one of the world’s most remote places. It has no airport and is surrounded by the largest marine reserve on Earth.
The islands have been home to the descendants of the HMAV Bounty mutineers since 1790, and the island’s population now stands at approximately 55.
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