-
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during a two-day working meeting on the island of Sal by the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos (right), as well as Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group (left), and Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation. -
Minister of Tourism and Transprt of Cap Verde, Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos -
TUI Care Foundation project “TUI Field to Fork”
Agreement covers a wide range of 18 issues – from renewable energy and environmental protection to local entrepreneurship empowerment, cultural heritage protection and education.
HANOVER – The Government of Cape Verde, TUI Group and TUI Care Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding “Tourism for Development” to intensify their cooperation on a wide range of sustainability topics. Their joint goal is to strengthen tourism on the islands as a force for good. The agreement introduces key strategic focus areas that the three signatories want to focus on in their joint efforts. The Memorandum was signed by the Minister for Tourism and Transport, Mr Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos as well as Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group, and Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the Board of TUI Care Foundation. The signing took place during the two-day work meeting between the Government and TUI on the island of Sal.
The partners have agreed to build on the immense tourism potential of Cape Verde and develop it further. To achieve this, they will work together closely and continue to invest in the development of tourism. Their joint goal is to develop a more sustainable and diversified tourism sector for the archipelago benefitting local communities economically and socially. The agreement covers 18 areas, including a special focus on the creation of locally added value, environmental protection, partnerships for innovation and further improvement of the Cape Verdean tourism product. The signatories will be particularly ambitious in evaluating and expanding the production and use of renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydrogen power to increase energy independence and decarbonize the sector on the islands. An overview on the 18 areas covered in the MoU can be found below.
Over the last decades tourism has become the main driver of Cape Verde´s economy. Within less than two decades the country was able to build a thriving tourism sector. TUI and Cape Verde have been close partners for many decades. TUI actively supported and enabled the touristic development of Cape Verde and is a key partner for the tourism industry. TUI’s portfolio of eight hotels with renowned brands like RIU, Robinson or TUI BLUE on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista offers guests more than 10,000 beds. In addition, TUI is by far the biggest airline operator serving the country, operating year-round and offering almost 2,000 flights per year. TUI cruise ships call at Cape Verdean ports each winter season.
Cape Verde is also a focus destination of the TUI Care Foundation. The independent foundation has been active on the archipelago since its establishment in 2016. School education and job training are the key to a self-determined future, especially for young people. With the TUI Academy on Sal, the foundation opens up new life opportunities for young people. It also supports local agriculture with its initiatives, which is challenging due to the local climate conditions. With the introduction of innovative methods, the TUI Field to Fork programme promoted the local production of fruit and vegetables. The foundation has also been engaged in the protection of endangered turtles on the islands for many years. The Foundation has ambitious plans to extend its portfolio in Cape Verde – with a special focus on the support of small and medium impact entrepreneurs and the protection of local heritage and culture. New initiatives will be announced in the next months.
Tourism for Development – Strategic topics covered by the Memorandum of Understanding:
- Intensified Tourism Relations
- Increased Technical Cooperation
- Development and Dynamization of the Tourism Sector
- Promotion of Cape Verde as outstanding tourism destination
- Strengthening the Cape Verdean airline sector
- Innovation & Technology
- Protection of Nature and the Environment
- Driving down the use of resources
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental educational and education on sustainable tourism
- Vocational Training in Tourism
- Investments
- Economic Policy
- Intensified Local Partnerships
- Promotion of Local Entrepreneurship
- Safeguarding local cultural heritage and traditions
- Cooperation with the Cape Verdean Diaspora
- Housing Sustainability
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
