Grupo Riu Reports 8% Revenue Growth in Cabo Verde for 2025
Grupo Riu's Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, Naomi Riu, announced that 2025 was a year of excellent performance for the company in Cabo Verde, marked by significant financial growth and a consolidated presence. The total volume of direct and indirect taxes paid to Cabo Verdean Public Administrations reached 5.6 billion CVE, an increase of 13.2% compared to the previous year. Grupo Riu also strengthened its commitment to local suppliers, with purchases totaling 9.374 billion escudos in 2025, significantly exceeding the 2.856 billion escudos spent on foreign suppliers. The company prioritized domestic procurement whenever possible.
Investment in improving assets and infrastructure in the archipelago amounted to 512.4 million CVE, with a focus on local services and purchases. A major project underway is the comprehensive renovation of the Hotel Riu Touareg on Boa Vista Island, which will expand its capacity to 1,181 rooms by adding 30 new units and completely updating its facilities, dining areas, and leisure spaces, while maintaining its 5-star All-Inclusive concept. Cabo Verde accounts for approximately 10% of the chain's global room offering, with 4,649 rooms across six hotels (three on Sal and three on Boa Vista). In 2025, these hotels hosted 396,785 clients, with the UK (52.05%) and Germany (13.81%) as the leading markets, followed by Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, and Spain.
Yeray Zurita, RIU's Operations Delegate in Cabo Verde, highlighted the positive impact on local employment, with 3,444 total employees, 90% of whom (3,100) are Cabo Verdean nationals. Notably, all 225 department head positions in RIU's Cabo Verde hotels are now held by local professionals.
Grupo Riu's financial performance in Cabo Verde in 2025 demonstrates a strategy of integrating local economies through significant investment in domestic suppliers and employment. The company's substantial tax contributions and prioritization of local procurement suggest a model that aims for mutual benefit, aligning business growth with national development objectives. However, the heavy reliance on specific international markets, particularly the UK and Germany, presents a potential vulnerability to geopolitical shifts or changes in travel trends. As the tourism sector evolves, particularly with the rise of AI-driven personalized travel and increasing emphasis on sustainability, Grupo Riu's continued success will likely depend on its ability to further diversify its market base and adapt its offerings to emerging consumer preferences, while maintaining its commitment to local economic empowerment and infrastructure development.
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