Cape Verde may have a young tourist industry, but 2015 showed that significant growth is still occurring. In the first half of last year visitor numbers were up, reaching an impressive 278,000 according to the country’s National Statistics Institute (the INE). This suggests that the country was well on its way to hitting the 500,000 mark for the year. This would be a major achievement, particularly when we take into account that the population of the islands is only slightly larger at around 505,000.
Another impressive statistic is that the number of people staying overnight when they visit Cape Verde is on the rise too. In the first half of 2015 there were almost 1.8 million overnight stays. This is an increase of 4.8% over the same period in 2014. There is plenty of demand for hotel rooms with 87.3% of visitors opting for this kind of accommodation.
The development of Cape Verde over the last twenty years has been astonishing. In 1997 tourist numbers for the year were only around 47,000. Since then plenty of development has taken place across a number of the islands to meet the demands of visitors and attract even more. The country was removed from the UN’s list of Least Developed Countries in 2007 as a result of the political stability, economic management and social development policies. Membership of the World Trade Organisation followed in 2008 and the country enjoys special partnership status with the European Union too.
The rising popularity could be for several reasons including the multitude of stunning beaches, the fantastic climate or the attractions such as hiking, diving or sailing. The culture is also very unique with a mixture of Portuguese and African. Visitors are welcomed warmly and can enjoy the diverse islands at any time of the year.
If you are considering a visit we can offer a fantastic service to help you book your perfect Cape Verde deals. We create bespoke itineraries for tourists, booking everything from the flights and transport to accommodation and activities. Our knowledge of the country is extensive and we can provide advice and recommendations to help you have the best trip.
