The island of St Helena is undergoing a historical change as it attempts to kick-start its tourism industry following the recent announcement that the island's first airport will be operational by 2016.

The 47sq m (121sq km) island has seen major reforms to its immigration, investment, land development and tax regulations in an attempt to attract foreign investors to the island.

Plans have already been announced for a £70m hotel, villa and golf course project by UK-based architecture firm Purcell with further investment being sought for the island - one of the most remote locations in the world with the only way at present to get there being a five day journey by postal ferry.

Also announced is the Jamestown Hotel initiative - a 70-room, £7.5m hotel that will be made up of five converted historic buildings.

The island has had interest from several South African hotel groups, including the Mantis Collection and also British consortium SHELCO, who are planning to build "the world's greenest hotel".

A limit of 30,000 people has been put on the number of visitors by the government to protect the environment. The aim is to bring in low volume, high value tourism to make St Helena - which is totally reliant upon grant aid from the UK government - self-dependant.