VOLCANO WON’T STOP TOURISM IN MONTSERRAT

Brades, Montserrat – January 7, 2009 – The island of Montserrat’s tourism market is still open for business and receiving travelers despite heightened activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano. Confirmed reports from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (www.mvo.ms) stated that the volcano’s activity increased significantly over the past week with lava extrusion, ash venting and pyroclastic flows. Visitors and residents remain safe and there are no reports of casualties or injuries.

            “It is important that we advise travelers that our island is still welcoming visitors in spite of the volcano’s increased activity. As a matter of fact, many visitors currently on island are making use of the opportunity to go volcano viewing, especially at night,” said Ernestine Cassell, director of tourism. “All our ports are open and we would like to assure the traveling public that the island’s accommodations and attractions are still available to guests. We are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that each and every one of our residents and visitors are safe and kept informed as the situation continues to develop.”       

           Visitors to the island will be kept up-to-date on the volcano’s activity on a regular basis via on air radio announcements and frequent website postings.  Sections of the island that are adversely affected by heavy ash-fall are designated as restricted access areas by the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee. Additionally, tourism establishments in the north of the island in the areas such as Brades, Sweeney’s, St. Peter’s, Little Bay and St. Johns are minimally affected and are open for business. 

For more details and information on the Soufrière Hills Volcano visit www.mvo.ms.

            Montserrat, a lush green and mountainous island of approximately 39 square miles, lies in the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands. Known fondly as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, this pear shaped island is a traveler’s paradise for nature lovers, divers, adventurers, family and villa vacationers, and honeymooners. This British overseas territory boasts the spectacular Soufrière Hills Volcano, a modern day Pompeii in the form of its buried former capital city Plymouth. For more information on Montserrat and its breathtaking scenery and unspoiled, unpolluted coral and volcanic vistas, visit www.visitmontserrat.com. 

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