Tourism as a positive force for social and economic development: Government of Cape Verde, TUI and TUI Care Foundation sign Memorandum of Understanding
- Signatories agree to intensify collaboration to strengthen the tourism sector on Cape Verde
- Agreement covers a wide range of 18 issues – from renewable energy and environmental protection to local entrepreneurship empowerment, cultural heritage protection and education
- Signing on the occasion of two-day work meeting between the Government of Cape Verde and the TUI Group Executive Committee lead by Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva and TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel
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 Verdeand develop it further. To achieve this, they will work together closely and continueto 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´seconomy. 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
About TUI Group
The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 17 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.
Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.
