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According to the latest figures recently released by the National Statistics Institute, 2007 was another good year for the tourism industry in Cape Verde.

312,880 guests checked into lodgings in Cape Verde last year, compared to 280,582 in 2006; a rise of 11%.

As you’d expect, the majority of the lodgings were in hotels, which accounted for 77% of stays, with Bed and Breakfasts and boarding houses counting for the remainder. The number of hotels offering accommodation also rose from 142 in 2006 to 150.

With Sal being the most ‘tourism developed’ of all of the Cape Verdean islands, it isn’t surprising that it still retains the crown for being the most visited destination, accounting for 61%, with Santiago a long way behind on 19% and Sao Vicente on 7%.

Although most Britons knew very little about Cape Verde just a few years ago, which was evident with their 0.6% share of total nights spent in Cape Verde in 2006, this rose dramatically to just under 20% in 2007. Only the Italians were higher at 21.3%. The Portuguese had a 16% share, Germans 10.8% and Cape Verdeans 8.7%.

This huge increase is probably due to the continual promoting of the islands, with travel companies such as Thomson offering holiday packages to Sal. TACV also started direct flights from 3 UK Cities, though they recently scrapped the Stansted operation due to low demand. Giving the figures above, this is very surprising and is more than likely due to the lack of a website and little, if any advertising.

With the increase in the visitor figures, the government of Cape Verde's idea to use tourism as a means to improve the economy can be considered to be a success.

There is still a long way to go, particularly with the infastructure, but they appear to definitely be on the right path. However the needs of the tourist must never outweigh the needs of the local people.

Channel 4, along with The Guardian Newspaper are working on a project to find a child from every one of the World's 193 countries now living in the United Kingdom.

Do you know of any children from Cape Verde who may fit this bill? If you think you do, please send an email to info@capeverdeinlondon.co.uk

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