Praia, July 10, 2025 (Lusa) - Travel agencies in Cabo Verde interviewed by Lusa expect the new low-cost flights to the archipelago to cause a drop in vacation prices and attract more visitors, calling for an increase in tourist offerings.
"Competitors will certainly have to improve their prices," Marvela Rodrigues, head of the Praiatur agency, told Lusa after Easyjet announced direct flights connecting Lisbon and Porto to the Cabo Verdean capital, Praia, and two other islands, starting in October.
"The arrival of new companies is always welcome, as it gives agencies more to offer and customers more options. This encourages the diaspora to travel and even consider returning to live in Cabo Verde," said Isabel Fortes, head of the Isa Tour agency.
Patrick dos Santos, head of the Alô Cabo Verde Tour agency, said that "any measure that causes prices to fall is positive".
"Customers are very price sensitive" and many large families avoid travelling because of the costs, he said, despite warning about the details of the new tickets.
"A ticket costing €85 to €95 can end up being the same or more expensive when you add baggage," which is paid for as an extra, both in the cabin and in the hold. And Cabo Verdeans almost always travel with luggage," he explained.
On the other hand, flights will not be daily, so it is possible that other companies will maintain their prices.
For Patrick dos Santos, this is an opportunity for agencies to sell more tickets, but he warns of the challenges.
"Although there have been improvements in hotels, there is a lack of security and clean spaces to attract tourists. If we want sustainable tourism, visitors must want to return," he said.
Marvela Rodrigues believes that there is "enormous potential to generate direct employment," but "improvements in restaurants" and an "increase in accommodation" are needed, especially on the island of Santiago, where the capital, Praia, is located.
"When more tourists arrive, more supply needs to be organised," she said, adding that there is already demand, especially for Christmas and New Year.
"If there are good prices, it will attract a lot of people. Travel was expensive and limited demand," she added.
Alexandre Lopes, head of Diocesana Tours, believes that there will be a positive impact on the diaspora.
"More flights and more connections will bring more visitors who want to spend their holidays here, which will bring development to the country," he said, adding that it is necessary to diversify the options to "make tourism more sustainable."
The increase in regular air links with Europe has boosted tourism in Cabo Verde, especially on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, leading the country to a record 1.2 million guests in 2024.
Tourism and related activities are the driving force behind the growth of the Cabo Verdean economy, with revenues estimated to have exceeded €500 million last year, representing more than 70% of exports.
Cabo Verde's gross domestic product grew by 7.3% in 2024.
The archipelago's prime minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, has said that the sector "is far from saturated," considering that it needs to diversify beyond the traditional ‘sun and beach’ offering and invest in the different islands.
RS/AYLS // AYLS
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