Eudaimonic well-being has emerged as a vital paradigm in rethinking tourism beyond mere entertainment, emphasizing personal growth, meaningful engagement, and the pursuit of purpose during travel; in the case of Cabo Verde, this lens reframes competitiveness by considering not only economic impact but also how tourist experiences foster self-fulfillment, connection with local culture, and personal transformation, aligning with broader sustainability goals. This model prioritizes human development metrics—such as autonomy, mastery, or belonging—instead of transactional indicators, thus elevating tourism into a tool for collective resilience and individual flourishing through carefully curated experiences rooted in local identity. Despite its idyllic appeal and cultural wealth, Cabo Verde struggles with significant infrastructural challenges that hinder its tourism potential, particularly the lack of efficient inter-island transportation, limited accommodation capacity outside main destinations, and the uneven distribution of services and trained human resources, especially in hospitality and heritage management. These constraints reinforce a dual-speed development model, where islands like Sal and Boavista grow rapidly while others remain marginalized; resolving these imbalances requires integrated policy action that improves logistics, decentralizes tourism planning, and ensures community participation in shaping the tourism economy from within, thereby enhancing both visitor experience and resident well-being.
