Improved accessibility to and within Cape Verde boosts tourism appeal

It has been announced by Cape Verde news agency Infopress that the end of 2009 will see the first of three new ferry links between the islands of Cape Verde, making the archipelago more accessible to both residents and holidaymakers alike.
The investors in the project have been given the go-ahead to test the ferry in the waters surrounding Cape Verde and if successful, construction of the first ferry will begin. This vessel will hold 102 passengers, 16 small trucks and 2 large trucks and shall link the islands of Brava, Fogo, Santiago and Maio, traveling between Brava and Fogo in 20 minutes and between Brava and Praia in 3 hours.
The build of the first vessel should take around 12 months and, once ready, the fleet of three ferries will cost around 20 million euros. One will remain in Praia linking Sal with Sao Nicolau, another will link Sao Vicente with the windward islands, and the third will stay on Brava.
The new ferries will increase accessibility within Cape Verde and with new flights from the UK scheduled for Autumn 2008 travel times will be reduced. Currently, Thomsons fly on Mondays and Fridays from London Gatwick to Sal and on Tuesdays from Manchester to Sal. From October, however, a new route is planned from London Gatwick to Boa Vista and flights from Birmingham to Sal will be launched in November.

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Date: 7/31/2008