Cabo Verde with its unique geographical features, diverse ecosystems, is taking significant steps in establishing itself as a prime location for nature tourism. These are the reasons why the island of Santo Antão is the main beneficiary of such tourism. With support from the Resilient Tourism and the Blue Economy Zenith Initiative managed by the World Bank, the government are focused on comprehensive infrastructure upgrade to better serve tourists experiences in Cabo Verde along.
These projects aim to pull and integrate vetted tourists from developed nations with convenient avenues to explore local culture and nature complemented by cost recovery from investments. These projects are focused on the full mapping of the island's 309km trail network to the rehabilitation of 47km of pedestrian trails. This infrastructure is branded heavily on leading hiking platforms including Alltrails and Wikiloc proving to enhance the visibility and stature of Cabo Verde in the global tourism domain.
Dominantly, nature tourism is unique and constitutes prime revenue streams for sustainable evolution of the island while providing local communities with infrastructure development and employment opportunities for better earnings.
Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts will now have easier access to Cabo Verde's iconic landscapes thanks to the island's extensive trail upgrades. The 47km of rehabilitated trails on Santo Antão are among the first milestones of the country's tourism enhancement programme. With a clear and detailed mapping of the island's extensive 309km trail network, the government has made it easier for visitors to navigate the island's mountainous terrain.
The routes have been made available on popular hiking platforms like Wikiloc and AllTrails, which provide a global audience with a detailed view of the island's trails. This move has significantly improved the island's international visibility, ensuring that Cabo Verde is now firmly positioned as a go-to destination for nature tourism. The addition of these online platforms also allows for more structured and safe planning of hiking trips, ensuring a more seamless experience for visitors.
The investment is not limited to just trail improvements. Future plans include the construction of lookout towers in the municipalities of Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, and Paul, adding more vantage points to enjoy the island's stunning vistas. These towers will further enhance the tourist experience, providing breathtaking views of the island's natural beauty. With additional trail upgrades planned for the upcoming phase of the project, the focus on sustainable tourism and eco-friendly infrastructure development is clear.
Cabo Verde's focus on sustainable tourism is central to its vision of building resilience within the sector. The government's strategy is to ensure that nature tourism benefits local communities and contributes to the country's broader economic goals. In addition to trail improvements, a complementary technical assistance programme is being launched. This programme is designed to build local capacity and encourage sustainable tourism practices, which will help manage and maintain the country's natural assets for future generations.
Through this initiative, locals are being actively involved in the development and management of the tourism infrastructure, fostering a sense of ownership and promoting the long-term sustainability of the project. The programme also aims to train local guides, providing them with the skills and knowledge to offer unique, high-quality experiences for tourists. In doing so, the project not only improves tourism infrastructure but also creates direct economic benefits for local communities.
The local capacity-building programme focuses on empowering local businesses, providing training on everything from sustainable tourism practices to customer service, ensuring a higher standard of hospitality. This, in turn, will make Cabo Verde an even more attractive destination for international tourists, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits both the environment and local communities.
Cabo Verde's investment in nature-based tourism is part of a broader strategy to diversify the country's tourism offerings and improve the overall resilience of the sector. With the support of the World Bank, the government aims to develop Cabo Verde's tourism potential by focusing on rural areas, ensuring that benefits are not just confined to major urban centres.
The Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy Development Project is designed to enhance the tourism infrastructure across several islands, with a particular emphasis on sustainable development. By investing in nature tourism, Cabo Verde is tapping into a growing global demand for eco-friendly, adventure-based holidays, appealing to a demographic that values authenticity, conservation, and environmental responsibility.
For tourists, this means more opportunities to experience Cabo Verde's unique landscapes through well-maintained trails and dedicated hiking routes. The country's investment in infrastructure and sustainability ensures that future visitors will have access to high-quality experiences that are also ecologically responsible. Tourists can explore not only the iconic landscapes of Santo Antão but also the surrounding islands, each offering its own set of outdoor adventures, from hiking and cycling to birdwatching and marine exploration.
Cabo Verde has, for the first time, concentrated its efforts toward promoting nature tourism which remains ecoved. The government has heavily invested in the construction of infrastructure on Santo Antao as well as on other core islands, which is expected to bring in significantly more responsible tourists. The construction of hiking trails, digital trail systems, lookout towers, and other facilities has enabled visitors to safely and enjoyably experience the raw nature of Cabo Verde.
These improvements are a win for tourists who love nature, as well as the local populations, as they make tourism a means of sustainable economic development. Nature-based tourism in Cabo Verde has diversified the tourism portfolio and the focus on nature tourism means the country will continue to be the first pick for tourists who are looking for genuine nature tourism.