Pitcairn Puts a Candle in the Window for Future Tourists!

 While tourists aren’t able to visit the Pitcairn Islands at present, the 50 local residents of the island and recently named International Dark Sky Sanctuary are ‘keeping a candle in the window’ for tourism — eagerly anticipating it’s return as soon as safety restrictions are lifted.

As one of the world’s most remote destinations and the UK’s only remaining territory in the Pacific, Pitcairn has a long history of survival and overcoming challenges. When the maps fail, we must look to the stars. This is what our island’s founders did back in 1790 and it is how we plan to navigate these unprecedented times 230 years later.

Whiles passenger services to the island are currently suspended, vital freight and supplies are still being delivered from New Zealand, via Pitcairn’s supply ship MV Silver Supporter. Our community continues to hone famous handicraft skills, stargaze in some of the clearest night skies on earth and go about their daily lives.

Along with it’s famous Pitcairn Pure Honey and other cottage industries, Tourism has grown to become an important contributor to Pitcairn’s micro economy over the past 10 years. Visitors experience home-stay accommodation, have the opportunity to dine with the whole country at community meals and study endemic flora and fauna. Pitcairn’s Mata ki te Rangi, meaning “Eyes to the Sky”, International Dark Sky, offers budding astronomers a view of some of the world’s most spectacular night skies.

In the meantime, we’re keeping a candle in the window for everyone affected by these unprecedented times, and will look forward to the day where we can once again welcome your valued clients to our islands. It is in these times we are reminded, no matter how remote, we are all intricately connected as global citizens.

Best wishes and hooray!

Heather

(Source:  Pitcairn Island Tourism update May 2020)