Latest Resort News

Investing in Cape Verde is a "wise" Move

3rd February 2010

According to a recent article in the Daily Mail, investing in Cape Verde is a "wise" move, even in the current economic climate

The Daily Mail reported that investors who recognised the potential of the archipelago a few years ago are now enjoying the benefits of the island's rising popularity, and investment today is likely to delivery similar results.

The paper reported that Cape Verde has seen a 22 per cent rise in tourism compared with the previous year. New airports and ferry services are likely to increase this figure further in the future, plus the Government has continued to invest in the infrastructure to help the islands through the downturn.

It was also revealed last month that Cape Verde was to be the sole nation to benefit from funding by the American Government. Good governance, economic development and human rights were given as the reasons for the boost.

Whale Watching in Cape Verde

25th February 2010

One of the most popular excursions for tourists is to go on a whale watching tour and right now there is no better time to go.

Whilst the Islands are famous for great beaches and year round sunshine, there is still plenty to do away from the sun and the sand.

Day trips around the islands, water sports and whale watching are the most popular ways to take a break from relaxing by the pool or sunbathing on the beach – and as you can see from the pictures its well worth it!

On-island infrastructure continues to develop

1st March 2010

The continued investment in Cape Verde is very much evident in the development of the telecommunications sector. This includes a surge in the number of mobile phone users on the island, approximately a three-fold increase from 100,000 to 300,000 since 2006. Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, the Cape Verdean minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Telecommunications noted the “strong growth dynamic” in the sector which, as well as mobile telephony also includes other services such as the Internet, subscription television and voice services over the Internet. “In three years we have doubled or tripled the number of telecommunications services”, noted Inocêncio cited by Cape Verdean news agency Inforpress. In the same period, he said, the total number of subscription television contracts had risen five-fold from 1,300 to around 7,000, whilst the number of Internet subscribers had doubled, rising from 7,000 to 15,000 users. Overall this supports the continued emerging strength of the Islands. There are currently a variety of investment projects with high government spending on utilities, transport and communications

Sol Melia Award

1st April 2010

"The most prestigious award in the tourism industry goes to Sol Meliá - for the second time!"

Sol Meliá has won the Prince Filipe award for the 2nd time. The award is considered the most prestigious and most important within the tourism industry and recognises excellence across a variety of criteria including quality, commitment to innovation and entry into new markets.

Part of the Prince Felipe Business Excellence Awards, the Tourism Award went to Sol Meliá thanks largely to their “continued and intense focus on the implementation of the most modern and innovative features and facilities in its hotels”. The Jury for the award also commented on their achievement “in greater brand recognition” and “the most advanced service concepts as well as a commitment to sustainability and social and cultural responsibility”.

Having been at the forefront of the tourism industry for 54 years, Sol Meliá last won the award 15 years ago, and become the first Spanish company to win it for a second time.

The award demonstrates the quality of the Sol Meliá group who will manage both the Tortuga and Dunas Beach Resorts.

Despite the difficult trading conditions within the industry over the last 2 years, the jury were impressed with the development of the Sol Meliá brand strategy, as well as the growth in customer registrations with industry leading developments in online sales projects.

With regards to their continued globalisation, the jury for the award gave high praise to one of Sol Meliá's most prominent characteristics, the company has successfully opened up new markets such as Bali, where it has developed a model of sustainable tourism over a period of 25 years, a highly successful model to be applied to developments in Cape Verde and other emerging markets.

The award was of course received with a great sense of pride and satisfaction amidst the difficult trading conditions, company Vice Chairman, Sebastián Escarrer said “2009 tested our management ability, our capacity to reinvent our model and our values, and we have come out of it much stronger, more innovative, and more committed to sustainability. This prize is a reward for this effort and encourages us to continue to improve”.

The award also demonstrates exactly why The Resort Group have partnered with Sol Meliá - not only the biggest resort hotelier in the world, but also the very best.

Cape Verde – In a Position of Economic Strength

21st April 2010

It’s been reported this month that Cape Verde’s Government continues to be wholly supportive of foreign investment in property.

A record volume of €2,639m in Foreign Direct Investment was received in 2008. The majority of the Foreign Direct Investment projects are aimed at capturing the increasing number of tourists, by building more luxury hotels and providing tourist services.

The country’s 2009 budget amounted to a total of €480 million; the budget represented an increase of 28.5% on the 2008 figure. Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Marilo Portugal commented: “Cape Verde’s prudent economic management in recent years is now paying dividends putting the country in a position of strength.”

“The islands have been internationally recognised for the way they have managed inflow of funds and worked hard to reduce domestic debt and build up strong reserves. Cape Verde’s prudent economic management in recent years is now paying dividends putting the country in a position of strength”

Buyer confidence in the paradise archipelago has returned, according to the islands’ most highly respected real estate agent Nôscasa. The number of tourist arrivals in Cape Verde is increasing at an annual rate of 22% and projections suggest that around one million tourists will be visiting the islands every year. Tourism is largely concentrated on the island of Sal which is the most visited island due to its international airport which is receiving numerous flights from Europe. Stays in Cape Verde’s hotel establishments rose 10.6% in 2009.

Cape Verdean Economy to grow 4% to 5% this year

13th May 2010

The Cape Verdean economy should grow between 4 and 5 percent this year, according to the head of the Banco de Cabo Verde.

Carlos Burgo made his comments on Tuesday (12/05/10) when presenting the half-yearly report on monetary policy in Cape Verde, which has already been submitted to the government and parliament.

The report details evolution of the island country’s economic and financial situation in the last six months and looks ahead to the next half-year. Burgo said a slight increase in prices was also forecast, and that the average inflation rate should be between 1.5 and 2.5 percent.

Tourism Increases 5.5% in First Quarter

2nd June 2010

Cape Verde received 92,000 tourists in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 5.5% against the same period of 2009, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said Thursday in Praia.

Figures from the Survey on Movement of Guests showed that in the first quarter of 2010 almost 5,000 more tourists checked in to Cape Verde’s accommodation units than in the same quarter of 2009.

Sal Island remained the preferred destination of most of the visitors, with 45.8 percent of total entries, followed by Boa vista (27.2 percent), and Santiago.

The United Kingdom remained in top spot in terms of number of overnight stays with 25.2 percent of the total, followed by Germany, France, Italy and Portugal.

Cape Verde Airport Traffic up 5.6%

9th August 2010

Passenger traffic at Cape Verde’s airports rose 5.6 percent year on year in the first half of 2010, to a total of 726,279 passengers, according to Cape Verdean weekly newspaper “A Semana” reported.

Aircraft traffic rose by 1 percent whilst handled cargo exceeded 1.7 million kilos, or a rise of 8.8 percent year on year.

Sal airport saw the highest number of passengers (254,674), of which 154,431 were international, followed by Praia airport which received 219,618 passengers.

Portugal was the country to share most traffic with Cape Verde (95,968). In second place was the United Kingdom with 54,545 passengers, representing a rise of 40.3 percent. Sal Island took on most of that passenger traffic (32,101).

Cape Verde’s finance minister estimates 6% GDP growth in 2010

27th September 2010

Cape Verde’s economy continues to grow at a good level and according to Cristina Duarte the island’s finance minister, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow around 6 percent for 2010.

Fiscal revenues have risen this year in year-on-year terms, while exports increased and the flow of tourists shows signs of major improvement, Duarte said.

“Up to 31 August customs revenues were up about 60 million escudos (544,000 euros) in year-on-year terms, there was an increase in direct foreign investment and the country is achieving a good rate of implementing the investment programme,” she added.

Duarte cited figures from the National Statistics Institute and stated that the confidence indicator had “entered a positive trend”, improving the situation of economic operators.

Despite the international crisis, the economy grew 6.5 percent in 2008 and 4.5 percent in 2009, Duarte recalled, insisting that in 2010 the economy will grow 6 percent.

Sol Melia announce New London Hotel in time for 2012 Olympics

20th October 2010

Sol Melia has recently announced plans for a new hotel in London, under their ME brand. The ME Hotels brand is the most innovative luxury brand operated by Sol Melia and currently includes two hotels in Spain, ME Madrid and ME Barcelona, and two in Mexico, ME Cancun and ME Cabo. In addition, they have recently added ME Vienna, occupying 22 floors of the tallest building in the Austrian capital.

Sol Melia is confident that ME London, located in the hub of London's social and business life, will further raise its brand awareness and reputation in international markets. It also highlights Sol Melia’s renewed interest in the London and UK Market.

Carlos Lopez, VP of investors relations states “It (London) is one of the most important markets for our group, both as a feeder market—about 14% of the total customers of Sol Meliá Hotels worldwide are from the U.K.—and as a destination,”

“Our only hotel until now (in London), the Meliá White House, has been successful from its acquisition in 1999, through its refurbishment in 2002, and till now, when the hotel has a yearly income of over €28 million and earnings of over €13 million, with an average occupancy of approximately 80%.

Cape Verde number 3 in Lonely Planet Top Ten

4th November 2010

The world renowned travel brand “Lonely Planet” has just released its top ten destinations for next year, with Cape Verde at number 3. The top ten has been based on topicality, excitement, value for money and that “special X-factor” and the list will feature in its new book “Best in Travel 2011”

This is what they said about Cape Verde.

…..growing international interest is bringing enormous changes to an archipelago that looks and feels as if it were born from a Caribbean mother and an African father.

…Soaring mountains terraced in greens, a volcano with its head in the clouds, world-class watersports and sizzling, saucy festivals – but it was the sun that clinched the deal. With almost more days of sunshine than there are days in the year and with soft sandy beaches to boot…

Read the full article and top ten list here

Cape Verde popularity produces extra flights

2nd December 2010

Several European tour operators are setting up extra flights to Cape Verde this northern winter season as the archipelago is becoming more popular among tourists than expected.

Cape Verde was among the few tourist destinations able to experience a solid increase in the numbers of visitors during the 2008-09 financial crisis. The industry had slashed prices to secure its growth in the European market and was became a major winter destination.

Growth in the Cape Verdean tourism industry, where one hotel complex after the other currently is being inaugurated, had been projected to be significant this year. In the largest markets, tour operators had for long planned increased flight connections to Cape Verde this winter.

Now, it seems clear, this growth will be even greater than foreseen as one operator after the other is announcing extra flights to Cape Verde to meet a greater-than-expected demand.

The latest European company to announce extra flights to Cape Verde's Sal island during the Christmas season was Luxembourg's LuxairTours, which today said that two extra flights would be set up to meet demands.

Cape Verde has received very positive headlines by European travel journalists during the year, and has been recommended as a reasonably cheap and guaranteed warm winter destination in travel magazines and articles in Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia.

The West African archipelago recently even made headlines in the English and French guidebook "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel", which picked Cape Verde as one of the world's "hottest" destinations for 2011. Cape Verde had "quite a lot" to offer tourists: "Soaring mountains terraced in greens, a volcano with its head in the clouds, world-class watersports and sizzling, saucy festivals," the book sums up, calling it the "new Canary Islands."

In addition to extra flights by tour operators, regular flights to Cape Verde have also seen a steep increase during 2010, with improved connections to Spain and the UK as the main improvements.

Passenger Increase at Cape Verde's Airports

20th January 2011

"11% Increase in passengers during 2010"

Passenger traffic at Cape Verde’s airports rose 11 percent year on year in 2010, rising from 1.44 million to 1.6 million.

According to the country’s airport management company, Empresa Nacional de Aeroportos e Segurança (ASA), the 2010 results exceeded forecasts and confirmed an upturn in tourism and the air transport sector.

The international airports of Sal and Boa Vista saw the greatest traffic.

Cape Verde Set for 2011 Popularity Rise

11th March 2011

Africa's Cape Verde can expect to become a hot destination in 2011, with more and more visitors discovering what the West African archipelago has to offer.

With the Lonely Planet revealing that the region was on it's hotspot destination list for this year, and the islands having a rich mix of European, African and Caribbean culture's, the location is set to attract visitors like never before.

Read the full article here

EU and Cape Verde sign a "horizontal" agreement on certain aspects of air services

4th April 2011

An aviation agreement has been signed on 23 March 2011 by the European Union and the Cape Verde authorities to allow any EU airline to operate flights between any EU Member State and Cape Verde, where a bilateral agreement exists and traffic rights are available. This agreement will bring the existing bilateral aviation agreements between eight Member States and Cape Verde into line with European law. Most importantly, it will remove restrictions on the nationality of the airline.

This means that any EU airline will be able to operate flights between Cape Verde and a Member State that already has a bilateral agreement with Cape Verde, provided that traffic rights are available. Previously, bilateral agreement between the eight Member States and Cape Verde restricted the number of airlines on the routes.

Cape Verde receives 219,000 tourists in first half of 2011

5th September 2011

Praia, Cape Verde, 30 Aug – Cape Verde received 219,000 tourists in the first half of the year, which was real growth of 47,000 tourists and percentage growth of 27.5 percent against the same period of 2010, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said in Praia.

The United Kingdom was the main source of tourists for Cape Verde, accounting for 16.6 percent of entries into the country and Sal continued to be the island most sought out by tourists, taking a 37.7 percent share of all hotel stays on the archipelago.

After tourists from the United Kingdom, came those from France and Italy, accounting for 16 percent each, whilst those from Germany and Portugal accounted for 13.8 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively.

Also according to INE, visitors from the United Kingdom were those that, on average, stayed longest, with 8.3 nights, followed by those from the Netherlands, with 6.9 nights and Italy and Germany, with 6.6 and 6.4 nights, respectively.

Number of passengers at Cape Verde’s airports rises 11.2 pct in 2011

27th February 2012

Passenger traffic at Cape Verde’s airports and aerodromes rose 11.2 percent year on year in 2011, from 1.6 million to 1.78 million, the country’s airport management company, Empresa Nacional de Aeroportos e Segurança (Asa) said in Praia. According to the published figures, international traffic rose by 20.8 percent whilst domestic traffic rose by 2.8 percent.

This highlights the increasing number of visitors to the islands and the ongoing trend of increased tourism.

At Amilcar Cabral Airport, Thomsonfly was the airline that carried most international passengers and transported 75,000 passengers to Sal Island, followed by TAP – Air Portugal (69,000) and Cape Verdean airline TACV (55,000).

Cape Verde enters the top 10 for the most popular holiday destinations

21st March 2012

Further good news from the Islands comes from figures published by HomeAway.co.uk, a holiday rentals company. They have revealed that Cape Verde entered its list of the top ten most popular holiday destinations for the first time in 2011, which is expected to further enhance the reputation of the islands for property investment.

According to the firm, an increase in the number of charter flights to Cape Verde, as well as a growing market for package holidays, have helped boost its tourism industry.

Regional director for HomeAway UK Andy Cockburn explained these factors could all result in more investors buying real estate in Cape Verde, as well as other hotspots like Dubai and Florida.

"For those looking for an alternative to Europe for property investment, these mid to long-haul markets provide good opportunities. Not only can properties at attractive prices still be found, but they have strong rental potential too," he stated.

Melia Hotels International goes from strength to strength

3rd April 2012

As the world largest resort based hotelier, Melia Hotels International are a key strategic partner for The Resort Group and the commercial success of our resort. Recent figures released by Melia Hotel International highlight their financial growth and increased presence in the global market. The outlook for Melia is very strong as they continue to see growth in a number of areas and further enhance their reputation on a global scale:

2011 revenues increased by 6.8% and EBITDA* increased by 4.5%
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased again with 7 consecutive quarters of growth, achieving an increase of 9% overall in 2011
They have an active pipeline of 31 hotels and added 20 hotels (5,056 rooms) in 2011, approximately one new hotel every three weeks. The company currently has 354 hotels (in operation or in the pipeline).
2.5 million Members of its "mas" rewards loyalty programme. Members generated 22% of room sales for the year. Plus, half a million Facebook fans worldwide (only Hilton have more)

*Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation