The African islands that the whole world wants to visit
The Daily Telegraph. Travel. 20th December 2017
A spike in Google searches
True Luxury Travel, which assembled the Global Travel Search Index, found that Cape Verde had the biggest increase in Google searches since 2004 worldwide (looking at 2017 alone, it came in second, after Barcelona).
To accurately assess rises and falls in annual searches, Google Trends issues various geographical locations with a “score” based on the overall volume in searches, taking into account how many people have been using Google over time.
In 2004, Cape Verde’s score was 23, but by 2016, it was 713 – a 3,000 per cent rise. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates (a 681 per cent spike over 12 years), the Philippines (a 276 per cent rise), Pakistan (a 162 per cent rise) and Nigeria (a 145 per cent rise).
In 2004, Cape Verde’s score was 23, but by 2016, it was 713 – a 3,000 per cent rise.
Which destinations saw the biggest drop in Google searches?
Libya saw the most dramatic dip in search interest for holidays there (an 88.8 per cent drop over 12 years), for obvious reasons, having descended into civil war six years ago. The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel there, and Tripoli’s International Airport has been closed since 2014.
After Libya it was Tunisia (a 88.1 per cent drop), Paraguay (down 86 per cent), Somalia (a 85.9 per cent drop) and Iraq (a 88.5 per cent fall)
Have visitor numbers in Cape Verde actually been climbing?
Yes, just not quite so dramatically. Cape Verde welcomed 644,000 tourists in 2016, a 13.6 per cent rise from the previous year.
Henry Morley, Founder of True Luxury Travel, tells us: “A key reason for the increase in search volume for Cape Verde is due to much greater accessibility to the islands.
“Recent years have seen greater availability of direct flights from the UK which will have brought the country to the forefront of people’s minds as a potential holiday destination.”
Airports have been opening on all Cape Verde’s inhabited islands, the newest international hub being Cesária Évora Airport in late 2009.
“Oman and Cambodia are two destinations which have experienced a huge influx in recent years and we have seen that reflected in a surge in recent bookings.”
What do our experts make of Cape Verde?
Telegraph Travel’s Rachel Cranshaw, who visited Sal in Cape Verde this year, predicts its popularity will continue to increase. “Its main selling points are that it’s a six-hour direct flight from the UK, with little or no time difference, and better guaranteed year-round sunshine than the Canaries,” she notes. “But it’s much cheaper – and closer than the Caribbean.”
Sal, Cranshaw adds, does have its disadvantages. “It can be very windy for extended parts of the year (though this makes it a big kite-surfing destination), it’s very arid and doesn’t have a great deal in the way of culture or cuisine.
“It also traditionally attracts an older demographic – but I think this will change, with resorts and clubs opening that make it a cheaper alternative for those that flock to in the likes of Mykonos, Marbella and Ibiza.”
Deputy Travel Editor Andrew Purvis paints a picture of Cape Verde as it was five years ago, when he visited in late 2012, describing it then as “somewhat scruffy”.
“When I was there, flights were all full because one of only two planes serving the islands had broken down,” he says. “There was very little to do on the main tourist islands, Sal and Boa Vista, apart from park yourself on the beach and maybe try some watersports.
“As an indication, I was taken on a minibus tour of the highlights of Sal, including a fly-ridden rock arch and cave, a down-at-heel fish market and a desert mirage.”
Still, the islands do what they on the tin, he concludes – singling out Sao Vicente for music, Santao Antao for food, and Santiago for hiking.
“If you want clear blue skies, a burst of intense winter heat, perfect white sand and tepid ocean, they’re all great.”
How can I get there?
Thomson Airways (0871 231 4787; thomson.co.uk/flight) flies to the island of Sal from Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Gatwick and Manchester – and to its neighbour Boa Vista from Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester. Thomson Cook Airlines (01733 224 330; thomascookairlines.com) follows suit, touching down on Sal from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, and on Boa Vista from Birmingham. Each of these services takes six hours or thereabouts.
Portugal’s national carrier TAP (0345 601 0932; flytap.com) is a further option, serving Sal and Boa Vista – plus sibling islands Santiago and Sao Vicente – from Lisbon. It offers UK connections to London City, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.
