JOSÉ TEIXEIRA, AMBASSADOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN CAPE VERDE VISITS BRAVA

Nova Sintra, June 16, 2016 – José Teixeira considered his visit to Brava very positive after learning about some improvements that were made “ very positive. I had the opportunity to verify some improvements that were introduced and of infrastructures that were made mainly here in the City of Nova Sintra…. The square, a few more hotels, restaurants and the Municipal Market, which really came to provide working conditions for those who make a living from the food trade, but also for those who make a living from other commercial activities, but also came to provide better hygiene conditions for customers. ”.

Still during his stay on Brava, José Teixeira confided that he had visited and known the Island more deeply “I also had the opportunity to know the island more deeply, although I have come more times, but there is always something else to be discovered, because the visits are always relatively short. With the Mayor of Brava, Comandante Balla, I had the opportunity to visit several places, such as Furna, Nossa Senhora do Monte, Faja d' Água and take a tour of the whole island ”.

“ I visited paradise places that are not very accessible. On the one hand, it's good because there's a lot of tourism that looks for inaccessible places. And I think precisely that here on Brava there must be an effort to raise awareness of the communities, of all the actors involved in the tourism chain, a transversal activity so that the Island can be put on the map of Tourism ”, attested the Ambassador of the European Union .

Attentive to the situation of Brava in terms of the departure of its people (essentially emigration), Teixeira asserts “ the Island has five thousand inhabitants, it has been a victim of the 'escape' of its citizens due to lack of opportunities. We know that Brava already had close to 20,000 inhabitants in the past, it already had some sectors such as agriculture for example with some importance and I think that tourism can create opportunities for income, income generation, job creation for these people ”.

Speaking of Tourism for the Island, Teixeira has the following understanding “for Tourism on the Island, a large number of tourists would not be necessary because precisely with five thousand inhabitants, something like 15 thousand tourists per year would already be a very reasonable number in the short term , albeit with growth prospects ”.

Our interviewee recalls that “ this is not mass tourism. Obviously the 'all-inclusive' does not adapt to the characteristics of Brava, but tourism with less quantity, which brings in much more money, so to speak ”.

As for accessibility to the Island, Teixeira has no doubts, emphasizing “ obviously it is necessary to take the boat more often, but it is also not a factor that should be used as an excuse to postpone everything that needs to be done ”.

The partnership with the European Union was also a topic of conversation and José Teixeira was blunt in stating “ I think that the partnership has existed for a long time and I am certain that it will continue to exist ”.

In the middle of June and coinciding with the Festivities of the Municipality and of “Nho Sandjon”, the Ambassador of the European Union in Cape Verde left a message to the Bravenses “ first of all, I express my regret at not being able to participate once again, despite I've already been invited several times... but the incompatibility with the calendar... ( laughs ), but I want it to be a time of celebration and joy for everyone, who also use these parties as a factor to preserve the cultural authenticity of Brava, a factor also of the interest of the tourists who visit here ”.

The European Union Ambassador left Thursday for Fogo Island, after a 48-hour stay on Flores Island.

Correspondent : João Paulo Gomes Rocha da Silva ( jpdibrava@sapo.cv )