Comoros Island + Dubai World = New Cape Verde

Photo Courtesy Hugh Doulten Flickr

While Comoros may have been until recently a small, insignificant group of islands situated off the East African coast. The recent announcement by gulf-based Dubai World to invest $70 million into building a 5 star luxury hotel and complex on Grand Comoros Island is set to put the former French colony much like the once untouched African islands of Cape Verde, now a property buying phenomenon. This is the first stage of a potentially lucrative partnership for both parties which could well change the landscape and future of the nation.

Located in the Mozambique channel, Comoros archipelago comprises four distinct islands which are Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjuan, and Mayotte. Currently, the few tourists that do visit the Comoros Comoros come for its beautiful beaches, reefs, hiking on the largest active volcano in the world and its colourful local history full of tradition and art.

Comoros currently has in the region of 800,000 inhabitants and whilst being one of the smaller African states, it does have one of the higher population densities in the region. The tie-up with the massive Dubai World Corporation (which receives net income in the region of $2 billion a year) brings the tourist-savvy Dubai Government into play and with it the massive reserves of oil related money from the region. It seems that more and more property investors are looking at betting on the future growth potential that these smaller islands, such as Cape Verde have to offer. Much like Cape Verde, Comoros has the potential to become a tourist paradise, with the sea, sun and landscapes to attract visitors from all around the world seeking a The Next Best Beach Resort.

The proposed investment by the Dubai World will see a whole section of the coastline redeveloped, bringing much need income, employment and visitors to the area. The nation of Comoros is currently one of the poorest in the world with agriculture the main industry across all four of the island. Unemployment in the country is currently up to 14% and there has been very limited growth in the economy for many years. Dubai World will also develop a tourism master plan for the country, in conjunction with the Government with the aim of ensuring the Comoros grow their status as a tourist destination and in addition to foreign contractors, local entrepreneurs will participate in the project ensuring that the local economy benefits from the development of the new beach resort right from the very start of its construction.

The Dubai World formula for Comoros begins with the appointment of the renowned Kempinski Hotels brand to manage a luxury beach resort in the Comoros which in addition to the new 5 star hotel will include the development of 100 new upscale residential villas and townhouses. The project will undertake the redevelopment of the Comoros’ leading hotel, Le Galawa Beach. Situated on Grande Comore (Ngazidja) near the country’s capital Moroni, this hotel, beach resort and spa is located on the Northern portion of Grande Comores on a pristine site which includes three exquisite white sandy beaches.

The two phase project will begin imminently with the demolition of the former hotel structure and starts with the completion of a 114 room hotel and 13 luxury bungalows, scheduled for early 2010. The expectation is this new venture and the expertise of the tried and tested Dubai World formula could breathe new life into the nation of Comoros.

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