Cape Verde received more than 325,000 tourists in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Data from the National Institute of Statistics reveal that tourism continues to grow, with the United Kingdom to stand out as the main emitting country. The news was advanced by The Portugal News.
Increases the number of visitors and overnight
Between January and March this year, the Cape Verdean Hotel Units recorded 325,287 guests, which represents a growth of 7.2% compared to the same period of 2024. This increase was also translated into more sleep: 1,657,403, 8.8% than in the first quarter of last year.
The average stay of the stay also increased. It went from 4.7 nights to five nights, which, according to Cape Verde, indicates a greater permanence of visitors in the archipelago.
Foreign visitors continue to represent the large majority
Tourism in the country remains predominantly foreign: 94.7% of guests come from abroad. The United Kingdom leads the ranking with 26.9%of tourists, followed by France (12.8%) and Germany (11.1%).
These numbers show a consolidation of the European presence in Cape Verde, reinforcing the importance of the British market for the national tourist sector.
Boa Vista and Sal concentrate most visits
Sal Island remains the main tourist destination of the archipelago. In the first quarter, it concentrated 56.9% of the entries and 57.7% of the overnight. In second place comes Boa Vista, with 21.6% of arrivals and 32.7% of the sleepers. Santiago appears with 8.1% of visitors and only 3.8% of the overnight.
The choice of these islands is due to their largest hotel capacity and the already consolidated tourist offer, especially the resorts by the sea.
Hotels remain the main choice
Most tourists who visit Cape Verde choose to stay in hotel units, which concentrated 79.6% of the stays and 84.6% of the overnight. Aparthotels emerge as the second most sought after accommodation category.
This standard confirms the preference for organized units, offering integrated services, especially by foreign visitors.
Occupation increases and reinforces confidence in the sector
The occupancy rate raised four percentage points, now located at 66%. This evolution is seen as a sign of recovery and stability in the sector, after the impacts suffered in previous years due to pandemic.
The information, released by, cites official data from the Cape Verde National Statistics Institute and underlines the country’s growing attractiveness with European tourists, especially British.
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