Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jorge Montezinho
Published on 2024-03-10 17:30:09
The Lisbon Tourism Fair (BTL) broke attendance records this year, with Cabo Verde as the international guest destination and one of the highlights of the event. The archipelago showcased its new tourism strategy, the new segments to be explored, investment opportunities, new strategic sectors, and financing models. The focus was on a new vision centered on sustainable development, healthy growth, and addressing environmental, social, and economic concerns. The growth was not just about quantity but also about quality, with tourism practiced on all islands and encompassing nature, culture, cruises, and digital nomads in addition to sun and beach tourism.
Keynote Objectives of the new tourism brand from Cabo Verde were highlighted, emphasizing promotion done internally and not relying on major groups. In Lisbon, Expresso das Ilhas spoke with Minister Carlos Santos, who was at the BTL presenting the new tourism strategy to Portuguese entrepreneurs.
He stated that the next 5 to 7 years would be golden years for Cabo Verde tourism, a bold claim. The growth in tourism interest and private investment is evident from the increasing number of tourists and proposals for investment coming to Cabo Verde institutions. The country’s focus on safety, political stability, social stability, and democracy further attracts international tourists.
There is a goal of reaching almost a million tourists in Cabo Verde, with aspirations to attract 3 to 4 million tourists in the future, focusing on sustainable growth and diversification. The strategic development plan emphasizes social, economic, and environmental sustainability, ensuring inclusion of local populations, protection of natural assets, and integration of various sectors into the tourism value chain.
The strategy aims to promote unique Cabo Verdean products like music and boost tourism through experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The plan addresses the challenges of concentration of tourists in specific islands, transportation, economic and social inclusion, and attracting foreign direct investment through sustainability initiatives.
The new strategy anticipates a rise in job opportunities due to the focus on training hubs and educational programs in tourism-related fields. The challenge of retaining skilled labor is acknowledged, with future plans to accommodate workforce mobility and enhance training opportunities.
The vision for Cabo Verde’s tourism sector is inclusive, sustainable, and focused on quality, aiming to differentiate the destination from larger competitors and provide lasting economic benefits to the country.
Read the original article(Portuguese) on Expresso das Ilhas
