There are 2 words that have set the holiday and investment markets alight, Cape Verde. The next big thing, that’s what the travel industry says, to understand just why they are so special, you need to look at their location and history.

Sail 385 miles from Senegal on the West African coast and you will find 10 unspoilt volcanic islands with a tropical Caribbean style climate, without the extreme storms of that region. You can also knock 4 hours of the Caribbean flying time and be there in just over 5 hours. There you can find 965 kms of bleached white sand beaches and a government committed to backing investors, and building new infrastructure as soon as it is needed.

EARLY DAYS

The Portuguese colonised the islands back in the 15th century but by 1970, Cape Verde was ready to go it alone and was granted independence. The portugese influence remains with slight variations on the Portuguese language and their currency, the Escudo, but the arts and crafts produced on the islands have a distinctly African flavour. Temperatures hold steady between 22 and 27 degrees and rain is a rarity, only making brief appearances between August and October. The Atlantic has long provided a living for the people of the islands and now the fish dishes delight visitors while the sea is a magnet for surfers and divers.

GETTING THERE

Cape Verde has made great strides very quickly and now has several airports. The original Amilar Cabral, on Sal, has been overtaken by a major international airport in the capital Praia on Santiago. The government has done its part with an open sky policy, attracting a range of different airlines into the islands. Each of the 10 islands has it’s own distinct character but they all share a love of music and fiestas, and when the singing starts, the local sugar cane based rum, Grogue, soon starts to flow.

WHY INVEST?

Apart from the obvious attractions of spacious beaches, clear seas and a relaxed lifestyle, the government is pulling out all the stops to encourage investment by individuals and big business. Cape Verde is making sure that its popularity is not a bubble that will burst quickly.