Number of cruise ships anchoring in Cape Verde
expected to double in 2007

The number of cruise ships stopping in Cape Verdean ports is expected to double in 2007, according to predictions by the president of the Leeward Islands Chamber of Commerce, Industry andServices, Orlando Mascarenhas. In 2006, between twenty and thirty cruise ships anchored at Cape Verdean ports.


According to Orlando Mascarenhas, the contacts made during the trade fair indicate Cape Verde’s gradual integration into international cruise ship itineraries, with the number of large-scale transatlantic tourist ships making stops in Cape Verde expected to double in 2007.

“We have everything to gain, as the arrival of these ships carrying thousands of tourists will dynamize the entire sector, as well as commerce in general,” said Mascarenhas, who added that the objective could be facilitated by the Atlantic Association, of which Cape Verde is a member alongside Madeira and the Canary Islands.

In Mascarenhas’ view, Cape Verde should prepare for this integration in international cruise ship itineraries by creating logistical conditions and improving services provided to tourists, a process through which, he believes, business owners in the sector “can play a fundamental role, as long as they are given due support.”

Mascarenhas guaranteed that the Leeward Islands Chamber of Commerce would do “everything possible” to raise associates’ awareness regarding such preparations, given that Cape Verde is an “attractive market” in a sector that could prove to be “extremely interesting” for the country’s development.


Source: ASemanaOnline (March 23, 2007)