New figures from the Cape Verde government show that its rise in popularity among holiday makers, rose by 11.5 per cent in 2007, compared to 2006. As news of this investment hot spot spreads, more people are coming to see for themselves the miles of unspoilt beaches and the largely blank canvas that can become the home of peoples dreams.

Tourism is still in its infancy , the total number of visitors for 2007 was just 312,000 but the spread of nationalities is increasing, and as flights to the islands increase, demand will keep on increasing. Italy leads the way in tourism with 21 per cent of visitors but the UK is coming up on the rails behind them on 19.9 and surprisingly Portugal, the islands former owner, has been pushed into third slot.

Sal continues to be the most popular island with 70 per cent of all visitors, few can resist the lure of the unspoilt stretches of beach in Santa Maria, the stylish southern resort.