Government aims to improve cruise infrastructure and visitor experience in Sao Vicente and Santo Antão
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The government of Cape Verde has signed a bi-lateral agreement with the Dutch Government to help further develop the islands as a cruise destination.
Cape Verde islands’ national port authority ENAPOR has commissioned Finance for Cruise Destinations to undertake the cruise development project, which will be 35% financed by a grant from the Dutch government.
Design and architecture firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners has already completed a market assessment study (phase 1 of the project) and will now assess and design the soft tourism infrastructure on the islands of Sao Vicente and Santo Antão as part of the second development phase of the project.
This phase will include designing a dedicated cruise pier, improving reception and land transportation facilities in Mindelo, including a waterfront development. An environmental impact assessment, a social economic feasibility study and a financial engineering plan will also be completed during this stage of the project.
These projects aim to address the issues reported by cruise lines that have called in the past, as well as to improve the overall cruise visitor experience on Sao Vicente and Santo Antão. Implementation is scheduled to start in 2016.
In addition, there are plans to extend the cruise development programme for the remaining islands of Santiago, Sao Nicolau, Maio, Fogo, Brava, Sal and Boavista.