“People are friendly and easy to get along with,” “the food is superb and fresh, especially for those who like fish,” “the country is safe with few incidents of theft or violence,” “the temperature is warm and sunny all year round,” and “the country’s unique music plays an important role in Cape Verdean culture.”
These are some of the opinions expressed by English tourists published on the British Broadcasting Corporation’s website and that point toward Cape Verde as one of the preferred destinations for British tourists in 2006. The Cape Verdean government hopes to jump on this bandwagon, and has begun diligences to strengthen political relations with the United Kingdom.
If in 2004 Cape Verde welcomed a total of some 1,000 English tourists, the perspectives for the coming year could hardly be better. According to the BBC site, the archipelago is “the next tourist hotspot.” Meanwhile, the first British-funded tourist installations in the country have begun to spring up on the islands of Santiago and Sal, and a direct flight between Praia and Birmingham is currently in the planning stage.
According to the BBC, Cape Verde is likely to become one of the prime destinations for British tourists in 2006. “The islands’ diversity is one of the attractions, as one can choose between beaches, cultural holidays and leisure. And the country wants to attract tourism,” says the site, which also highlights diving, deep-sea fishing and windsurfing as some of the activities practiced on the islands, and suggests trips to the volcano on Fogo, the beautiful beaches of Sal and Boa Vista and the historical sites of Santiago.
This investment is Cape Verde is confirmed by the Cape Verdean consul in London, John Robert, in whose view “there is a feverish desire to visit Cape Verde in the United Kingdom and Ireland that is spreading like wildfire.” Roberto says that the consulate seeks to assist British and Irish nationals wishing to visit the archipelago, and the consul himself has traveled to Cape Verde accompanied by investors from the two countries interested in the Cape Verdean market.
Apparently even greater than the English interest in the islands, however, is the Cape Verdean government’s desire to intensify relations with the United Kingdom. With this in mind, Cape Verde’s ambassador to the European Union, Fernando Whanon Ferreira, is expected to travel to London in the near future for contacts with British authorities. Despite the English presence in Cape Verde in the past, particularly on the island of São Vicente, relations between Praia and London have always been formal and limited to the accreditation of the British ambassador in Dakar. With the interest expressed by English investors, however, this could soon change.
According to a source contacted by A Semana’s economic supplement Cifrão, Praia has been in discussions with Great Britain’s State Secretary for International Development, Hillary Ben, expressing “the Cape Verdean government’s great interest in strengthening political and cooperative ties with the United Kingdom.”
The archipelago also hopes to take advantage of “Great Britain’s support while it holds the European Union presidency for the special status Cape Verde hopes to attain from Brussels and in the fight for security and against drug trafficking.” Another important element is Cape Verde’s rapprochement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in which the United Kingdom plays a major role.
The same source also believes that the renewed interest on the part of British investors in Cape Verde, particularly in the tourist sector, will contribute toward the country’s economic development.
Political relations between Praia and London cooled in the 1980s during the Falkland Islands War. At the time, the United Kingdom hoped to use Cape Verde as an advanced base in its war with Argentina for the sparsely populated Falkland Islands, a proposal that was rejected by Praia.
English investment
Sambala Village, which is owned by an English group called Sambala Development, is so far the largest British investment in Cape Verde. Located in São Francisco, near one of the most paradisiacal beaches on the island of Santiago, Sambala Village is budgeted at some 30 million euros. The first phase of the development is projected to be completed by November 2006. All of the residencies in the complex have already been sold to English investors, many of whom have already made their way to Cape Verde to get a first-hand look at the progress.
Perspectives also seem to be good on Sal, with English interested in investing in the island and negotiating the construction of hotels and residences in the Ponta Preta zone. Sal real-estate company Alibella has, according to representative Ivana Falazoni, sold various houses and apartments to British and Irish citizens.
Article Source: A Semana
|
Let Us find Property in Cape Verde for You
Help me find property in Cape Verde
View News by Channel
Property News Search
News Archives
Media/Press Section
