Author calls for shift in Cabo Verde’s tourism model at book launch in Praia

Praia, 18 December (Inforpress) – Author José Luís Mascarenhas presented on Wednesday his book “Sustainable Tourism and Development – Cabo Verde Post-Colonial”, arguing that the country must rethink its tourism model to ensure “greater sustainability and tangible benefits” for local communities.

He noted that tourism in Cabo Verde gained prominence from 1991 onwards, following political and social change, at a time when the sector was viewed with some scepticism due to its negative impacts.

As a result, he explained, tourism development was initially concentrated on sparsely populated islands such as Sal, making use of existing infrastructure, particularly the international airport.

According to Mascarenhas, this approach contributed to a narrow perception of tourism in Cabo Verde, almost exclusively associated with the sun-and-sea product.

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