On 7 October 2022, Decree-Law no. 44/2022 was enacted establishing the principles and rules concerning the access to the activity of tourism services provider.
 
This statute is applicable to all tourism services provider, being considered as such the individuals or companies that perform an organized activity for the production, commercialization, intermediation and management of products and services concerning the national touristic activity, namely travel and tourism agencies, companies that provide touristic assistance or touristic guide services, companies that rent vehicles without a driver and perform touristic transportation, restaurants, bars, among others.
 
The new regime has the purpose to promote the development, security, diversification and enhancement of the touristic offer in Cape Verde, improving its quality, social and economic profitability and environmental protection.
 
Moreover, this legislation also defines the rights and obligations of the companies and individuals that provide tourism services. In accordance with the statute, the supervision of compliance with the rules foreseen in the regime is ensured by the competent authorities of the tourism, environmental and cultural patrimony sectors, plus the municipalities, without prejudice of the competences granted to the entities of economic activity inspection.
 
The penalties for not complying with the obligations foreseen in the present diploma may vary between CVE 50.000$00 and CVE 1.000.000$00 and may also be punished with an ancillary sanction of (i) temporary prohibition to perform the activity; (ii) suspension and revocation of the license to perform the activity or (iii) deprivation to access any State allowance or incentive.
 
The statute entered into force on 8 October 2022.

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