From 29th October TACV, the national flag carrier of Cape Verde, will begin to operate a twice-weekly service between Stansted and Praia - the country's capital, located on the island of Santiago - which will almost certainly fuel further property interest in the tropical archipelago.

Already serviced regularly by flights from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, Santiago and Sal - which itself is serviced by flights from Gatwick and Manchester - have initially proved to be the two most popular islands in Cape Verde for British property buyers, largely thanks to their ease of access from the UK.

Adrian Lillywhite of Cape Verde Property Ltd believes that the addition of this new air route will appeal to those looking to take advantage of Cape Verde's year-round warm climate. "This new route from TACV is well timed as more and more people are looking to visit the islands for some winter sun. Demand for residential property at this time and on those particular islands of Cape Verde is also high as property buyers seek affordable frontline properties overseas."

However, these are not the only two Cape Verde islands that would-be property buyers should pay attention to.

Boa Vista is also regarded to be an up-and-coming island, boasting 60 per cent of all the country's beaches and a new international airport. What's more, TACV also has plans to operate a direct service from the UK to the island, commencing in January 2008. "Boa Vista is the next island in Cape Verde which is becoming really popular with property buyers," confirms Lillywhite.

A new property development on Sao Vicente could also potentially transform the second-most populous island on Cape Verde into a increasingly popular destination.

The Nicki Beach-developed Fortim Mindelo - located in Mindelo, the island's major beach resort - will boast a boutique five-star hotel, a high-grade casino, a night club, Michelin-starred restaurants, and an array of entertainment and conferencing venues; there are golf courses designed by Nick Laus and Ernie Els nearby. The price of a property in this resort - said to be one of the most exclusive in Cape Verde - will start from £221,252 for an apartment, and £677,377 for a detached three-storey villa. The properties are being marketed by Jet2Let.

Over the past few years tourist numbers have already increased significantly in Cape Verde - by 26.4 per cent in 2006 - and given all the developments and improving access the country is now starting to offer, it is unlikely to be too long before property interest in the country starts to increase by a similar percentage.

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Article first published 25 September 2007