Press Release Summary = Buy-to-let investors with an eye for a bargain could do well to consider the property market of the Cape Verde islands. A tour operator specialising in holidays to the island has suggested there is an increasing interest among Britons wanting to visit the islands.
Press Release Body = Buy-to-let investors with an eye for a bargain could do well to consider the property market of the Cape Verde islands. A tour operator specialising in holidays to the island has suggested there is an increasing interest among Britons wanting to visit the islands.
Tour operator The Cape Verde Experience, an affiliate of Serenity Holidays, suggests that British holidaymakers are following in the footsteps of the Italians and Portuguese who have been visiting Cape Verde as a holiday destination for some time.
UK interest has been fuelled by the introduction of direct flights between London Gatwick and Sal in Cape Verde last November, suggested spokesperson Jenny Adams.
Indeed, a recent report claimed Britons are more likely to holiday in Cape Verde than the Maldives, attracted by a similar vacation experience but a significantly shorter flight time. Jet2Let said the fact that the Cape Verde islands are only a 5.5 hour flight away whereas the Maldives, which is a 13-hour flight away, means Britons are increasingly visiting the group of ten islands off the west African coast.
Last year saw a 26.4 per cent increase in tourist numbers entering the country, according to its National Statistics Institute, with its proximity to Europe and investment potential cited as contributing factors.
\"The UK population is now discovering the appeal of this unique archipelago, and there has been a buzz about the islands for the last year, as Cape Verde continues to be the must-visit destination,\" commented Jenny Adams, spokesperson for The Cape Verde Experience.
And higher numbers of visitors of course mean more opportunity for buy-to-let investors. But where exactly is it that the holidaymakers are going and where should the savvy property buyer purchase their investment?
According to Ms Adams, holidaymakers from abroad are particularly attracted to the beaches in Cape Verde. She highlighted the attractions of Sal and Boa Vista as the most popular seaside spots.
But the diversity of the islands means there is something that is likely to appeal to every holidaymaker - and perhaps every investor too.
Ms Addams said Santiago draws holidaymakers because it is home to the Cape Verde capital Praia, which has \"lush, deep valleys\" and a \"bustling\" African market. Meanwhile, the cultural capital Mindelo in Sao Vicente is also a popular spot, particularly for music lovers where they are most likely to hear traditional songs being sung, giving visitors an added element of the exotic.
\"The diversity of the islands also ensures a unique holiday experience,\" commented Ms Adams. \"There are those islands such as Sal and Boa Vista, which are characterised by a more flat, arid landscape, and those such as Santiago and Santo Antao, which are more fertile, mountainous and green.\"
Homeowners hoping to let their property to holidaymakers are also likely to have year-round demand, as Ms Adams suggested the climate makes Cape Verde a perfect destination to visit irrespective of the season.
She said: \"The Cape Verde islands also boast a tropical climate, with year-round temperatures in the high 20s, with virtually no rainfall. Their privileged position in the Atlantic also means that the islands enjoy fairly constant cooling breezes, which keep the atmosphere almost free from humidity.\"
And if the idea of beautiful beaches and all-year summer does not appeal to the investor, the following might: capital values of Cape Verde property are rising by between ten and 15 per cent a year.
The Global Property Guide also notes that property on the islands is \"still a bargain\", with the average price per square metre being between £800 and £1,100.