“What can be done to bring more tourists to São Nicolau is to solve, once and for all, the transport problem. Having planes in good condition, with fixed and predictable schedules, and boats arriving on the island regularly,” stated Arnaldo Felisberto, as quoted by Rádio de Cabo Verde (RCV).
The official noted that addressing the transport issue would not only increase the number of tourists but also attract investors to hotels and other services on the island.
After yet another wave of problems, which occur periodically in domestic connections, the government announced this week an aircraft reinforcement, promising to restore predictability to air links.
The president of the tourist operators association also warned that agriculture, construction, and even catering are already facing a shortage of workers.
“Clearly, the tourism activity will face the same difficulties,” added Arnaldo Felisberto.
An analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicated that only Cape Verde’s two most touristy islands (Sal and Boa Vista) have recovered their annual pre-pandemic visitor numbers, while others, such as São Nicolau island, remain below.
Meanwhile, in January, the president of Cape Verde warned about the “mass exodus of Cape Verdeans” from the archipelago, urging careful consideration of the impacts on the country’s economic fabric.
Last month, Cape Verdean entrepreneurs told Lusa that they are considering importing labor due to the departure of young people, mainly to Portugal.
