The project in Cape Verde will represent an approximate investment of 120 million euros for a five-star, family-friendly, themed hotel with 605 rooms.
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, a brand of the hotel division of Grupo Piñero, is entering hotel management for the first time with a new hotel in Cape Verde, in partnership with BFI Bank, a Cape Verdean investment project bank with extensive international experience, especially in the African market, and one of the main players in the transformation of Cape Verde into a financial platform in the Mid-Atlantic.
With 605 rooms and located in Murdeira (Salt Island), it will be a 5-star family-friendly and themed product.
The company has opted for the first time for a hotel management project—also known as Asset Light—which allows it to focus on the management and operation of the hotel without direct ownership of the real estate assets. In this way, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts prioritizes the customer experience and quality of service.
Specifically, the project in Cape Verde will represent an investment of approximately €120 million for a five-star, family-friendly, themed hotel with 605 rooms. This destination has been carefully selected for its exceptional attributes that perfectly complement the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts brand, thanks to its excellent connectivity and stability, as well as a warm climate year-round that allows guests to enjoy the sun and beaches. Furthermore, Soltour, the tour operator of Grupo Piñero, has a close relationship with Cape Verde, where it has been operating for over five years from Portugal and, for the last two years, from Spain.
In this regard, the positive outlook for this destination, where tour operators account for over 90% of tourism, has led Soltour to extend its route beyond the summer season, demonstrating its great potential. Soltour has worked closely with the Cape Verde Tourism Institute (ITCV), signing a significant collaboration agreement to promote this destination in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, showcasing its attractions and drawing high-quality, sustainable, and long-term tourism to the archipelago
Julio Pérez, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, stated: “We are thrilled to bring our brand to Sal Island in Cape Verde, a destination that perfectly aligns with our values and quality standards. This project is a strategic step in our global expansion.”.
For his part, Luis Rodrigues, CEO of the International Development Bank (BFI Bank), highlighted that “Cape Verde is increasingly establishing itself as a leading international tourist destination, with tourism being the main driver of the Cape Verdean economy. The number of tourists is expected to double by 2030, and investments are projected to exceed one billion euros during the same period.
As a bank that promotes the Cape Verdean economy, BFI Bank could not remain indifferent to this evolution. The alliance signed with Grupo Piñero will bring internationally recognized management expertise and a differentiated offering that will propel the project to unparalleled levels in Cape Verde.”.
The project, which is expected to open in 2027, will have a positive impact on the local Cape Verdean community through the creation of 500 direct jobs and development opportunities.
Transformation
Grupo Piñero is immersed in the transformation of the hotel business by exploring new approaches, such as the Asset Light model, which will allow it to expand into new markets like Cape Verde. This expansion leverages local partnerships and resources while maximizing its focus on hotel management and the customer experience. This approach reflects an agile business strategy geared towards global growth.
The company aims to contribute to the promotion of Cape Verde through this project and foster high-quality, sustainable, and long-term tourism in the archipelago. To this end, Soltour has established a close relationship with the Cape Verde Tourism Institute (ITCV) by signing a significant collaboration agreement. This agreement aims to showcase the unique beauty of Cape Verde and expand its promotion to the Spanish and Portuguese markets.
In short, this project marks a milestone in the history of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, not only because it is the first hotel management project, but also because it will allow it to enter Africa for the first time, adding to the 24 hotels that the brand currently has in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica.
