Cape Verde has announced plans to eliminate visas for European Union citizens planning to visit the destination from next summer.
The West African archipelago says the new rules will come into force in May or June next year.
Speaking at WTM, minister of tourism Jose Gancalves said: “We are looking to make it easier to enter the country, so people don’t have to stand in line at the airport.”
Currently all Brits visiting the islands require a visa, at a cost of 40 euros. If this is not obtained in advance, visitors can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport but this can take around two hours to process.
No further details have been revealed as yet about new entry procedures. The country also plans to introduce automated airport border controls to make it easier to enter the country and grow visitor numbers.
The minister also outlined plans to privatise the state-owned carrier TACV Cabo Verde Airlines, after a deal was struck to use Icelandair Group to manage the airline and turn it the country into a competitive hub connecting Europe, Africa, North and South America.
“This is part of what we are doing to improve the destination,” added Gancalves.