Cape Verde has solidified its position as one of the most attractive destinations for hotel investment in Africa, ranking fifth in the latest annual report by W Hospitality Group on “Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa.”
According to the 2024 edition of the report, the country currently has 16 new hotels in the pipeline, representing over 5,500 rooms. While the report does not provide detailed breakdowns of each project, all data was sourced directly from participating hotel brands, underlining the strength of the trend.
Despite Cape Verde and Tanzania showing the lowest percentage of rooms under active construction (only 37% of the planned total), the level of investment interest in Cape Verde has increased significantly since 2023. Half of the projected capacity is expected to be delivered within the next three years, with Boa Vista island identified as one of the key targets for development.
So far in 2024, two new hotels have opened: the TUI Suneo Dunas on Sal Island, offering 335 rooms, and the Barceló Hotel in Praia, with 80 rooms.
Hotel developments in Cape Verde are notable for their larger-than-average size compared to other African projects and are primarily designed to meet the growing European demand for beach and sun resorts.
The survey draws on data from 50 hotel chains and 145 brands, supported by market analysis, interviews with development executives, and data from specialized industry databases. Only projects with legally binding contracts are included, regardless of their construction phase.
Across Africa, the report indicates a 13.3% year-on-year increase in projected hotel capacity.
At the national level, Cape Verde’s tourism industry continues to grow, having welcomed a record 1.2 million guests in 2023. The launch of new flight routes to Sal Island has already created a shortage in available accommodation — a scenario described as a “critical opportunity” for hotel investment by Jorge Benchimol, CEO of Vinci Airports’ local concessionaire.
Source: expressodasilhas.cv
