TUI Launches New Flights to Cape Verde in Boost to Holiday-Making Brits
A new flight route to a lesser-known island destination could be a gamechanger for holiday-making Brits, offering a Caribbean-style getaway at budget costs. TUI, a leading holiday company, will launch new six-hour flights from East Midlands Airport to Boa Vista, a desert-like island in Cape Verde, off the African coast, this week. According to the Express, the first British tourists will arrive at the idyllic spot on Saturday, April 26, with journeys continuing twice a week through the summer and once a week during the winter months.
Boa Vista, which translates to ‘Beautiful View’, boasts year-round 30C temperatures, similar to those enjoyed by visitors to the Caribbean Islands. The island’s turquoise waters and white-sand beaches make it an attractive alternative to traditional Caribbean destinations. As the Express reports, a seven-night all-inclusive stay on the island can be priced at £783 per person, making it a budget-friendly option for holidaymakers.
In addition to the new East Midlands service, TUI has also increased flights from London Gatwick to Boa Vista. The new flights will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer, before scaling back to just Wednesdays during the off-season. This move is part of a 12,500-capacity boost to Boa Vista, as TUI seeks to capitalise on growing demand for novel beach getaways. The Express notes that Cape Verde, described as "a group of under-the-radar islands off the west coast of Africa" by TUI, could offer an attractive alternative to popular destinations that are buckling under the strain of overtourism this summer.
One of the island’s top-rated beaches, Santa Monica Beach, is described as an "untouched" gem that is likely to be "pretty much deserted". The Express quotes TUI as saying that "the island is wrapped up in 55 kilometres’ worth of coastline, where rocky coves merge into sand-white bays." The beach has easy access to the nearby capital, Sal Rei, a town of petite proportions, where rainbow-bright surf shops and cafes set the scene.
Chris Logan, TUI UK and Ireland’s Commercial Director, said: "Cape Verde has been a popular all-round holiday destination for some time now and we are seeing increased demand for Boa Vista. This new route from East Midlands, along with our expanded Cape Verde programme, allows us to meet this growing demand. The island is home to unspoilt beaches and boasts year-round sunshine, which is a huge draw for holidaymakers seeking a new destination for a relaxing holiday." The Express reports that the heightened attention on the island country could mean those deserted beaches don’t stay that way for long, however, with easyJet also launching its first-ever flights to Cape Verde this year.
The launch of new flights to Boa Vista is set to provide a boost to the local tourism industry, with TUI’s new route and increased capacity expected to attract a growing number of holidaymakers to the island. As the Express notes, the island’s unique blend of African and Caribbean influences, combined with its budget-friendly prices, make it an attractive option for holidaymakers seeking a new and exciting destination.
For those looking for a relaxing holiday in a beautiful setting, Boa Vista and Cape Verde are definitely worth considering. With its year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, this island destination is set to become a popular choice for holiday-making Brits. As the Express reports, TUI’s new flights to Boa Vista offer a convenient and affordable way to experience all that this amazing island has to offer.
