Origins and initial development
São Tomé and Príncipe was settled by Portuguese rulers at the end of the 15th century who used the area as a dependency on cultivation, and at first, the islands' economy depended mainly on the cultivation of agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa and palm oil.
Due to the development of the plantation economy, São Tomé and Príncipe gradually attracted attention from the outside world, explorers and scientists began to travel to these islands to explore their unique natural environment and culture, they recorded the beautiful scenery, rich ecosystems and the way of life of the local people, which laid the foundation for the development of tourism.
Tourism in Sao Tome and Principe had not yet developed on a large scale, the islands existed mainly as part of the dependent economy, and tourism development was not the primary concern of the Government or the local population.
Tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe was relatively limited, focusing on the personal exploration of explorers and scientists, and at the end of the 19th century, the plantation business fell into decline, prompting the local population to look for new economic opportunities.
Explore and develop
At the beginning of the 20th century, São Tomé and Príncipe began to attract attention, tourists discovered the uniqueness of these islands, explorers began to travel to these places, recorded the beautiful scenery and rich ecosystem, these records sparked more interest, and tourism gradually developed.
As awareness of São Tomé and Príncipe grows, affluent people are looking for quiet, tranquil environments away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and luxury hotels and resorts have sprung up to offer visitors high-quality services and leisure facilities.
In order to meet the needs of the tourism industry, local governments and enterprises began to build tourism infrastructure, and hotels, resorts and other tourism facilities have gradually emerged to provide better reception and entertainment experience.
The local government began to recognize the potential of tourism for economic development, actively supported and promoted tourism, developed policies and regulations to encourage foreign investors to come to the islands for tourism business, and organized promotional activities to inform domestic and foreign tourists about the uniqueness of Sao Tome and Principe.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Sao Tome and Principe began to pay attention to the concept of nature conservation and ecotourism, the islands are rich in natural ecosystems, and governments and communities have begun to take measures to protect and manage these resources and attract tourists who are conscious of environmental protection.
In the early 20th century, tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe began to develop, explorers and scientists provided the basis for later tourism, the rise of island resorts attracted wealthy people, and government support and infrastructure created conditions for tourism.
Early tourism development
In the middle of the 20th century, tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe began to flourish, and local governments and enterprises began to value the potential of tourism and took measures to attract more tourists, they built infrastructure such as hotels, airports, and strengthened the protection and management of tourist attractions, and the government also encouraged foreign investors to invest in the tourism sector to promote economic growth and employment opportunities.
In the middle of the 20th century, São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence, and the realization of political stability provided a good environment for tourism development, attracting more tourists and investors.
In addition to island resorts, São Tomé and Príncipe has begun to launch a more diversified tourism offering, with adventure tourism activities such as mountaineering, expeditions, waterfall diving, etc., attracting those who like to challenge and adventurous tourists, and activities such as ecotourism, bird watching and marine life conservation are also gradually attracting attention.
In the middle of the 20th century, Sao Tome and Principe began to attach importance to the local cultural heritage and traditions, and the government and the community took measures to protect and inherit local cultural elements such as architecture, handicrafts, music and dance, and promote them as tourism resources, and cultural tourism activities and related festivals gradually attracted more tourists.
The development of tourism, the gradual increase in the economic contribution to Sao Tome and Principe, which creates jobs, provides a source of income and promotes the economic development of local communities.
Sustainable development and ecotourism
At the end of the 20th century, Sao Tome and Principe began to shift its focus to sustainable development and ecotourism, and the local government decided to protect the local natural resources and develop tourism in a sustainable way, they established nature reserves, strengthened environmental monitoring and protection measures, and launched ecotourism activities such as bird watching, marine life conservation and eco-tours.
Tourism has gradually become the main economic pillar of Sao Tome and Principe, and the government and local communities have recognized the potential of tourism and taken measures to attract more tourists and investors, and the development of tourism has created jobs, provided economic income and promoted the diversification of the local economy.
Sao Tome and Principe has a rich cultural heritage, including architecture, traditional handicrafts, folk music and dance, etc., and in order to preserve these cultural elements, the government and the community are committed to preserving cultural heritage, and cultural festivals and art exhibitions attract the interest of tourists.
Sao Tome and Principe actively works with international tourism organizations and partners to promote the development of tourism, participating in international tourism exhibitions, expanding external publicity, increasing international visibility, and attracting more tourists and investors.
From the end of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century, Sao Tome and Principe's tourism industry has achieved remarkable development, tourism has become an important driving force for the economy, infrastructure has been improved, and the strengthening of international cooperation has also opened up broader development prospects for the country's tourism industry.
Cultural tourism and heritage preservation
Sao Tome and Principe is increasingly focusing on cultural tourism and heritage preservation, and the islands have a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with museums and cultural centres and cultural festivals that attract tourists to experience the local culture.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Sao Tome and Principe has placed greater emphasis on the importance of sustainable development, and the Government has committed itself to protecting natural ecosystems and promoting sustainable tourism models that have brought benefits to local economies and communities.
In order to provide a better travel experience, São Tomé and Príncipe continues to improve and upgrade its tourism infrastructure, hotels and entertainment facilities continue to develop to meet the growing needs of tourists, and the improvement of transportation and communication facilities also provides tourists with more convenient travel conditions.
Sao Tome and Principe has a rich cultural heritage and unique folk traditions, and the Government strives to promote cultural tourism, including cultural festivals, art exhibitions and handicraft markets, where visitors have the opportunity to learn about the local cultural history and participate in various traditional activities to enrich the tourism experience.
Sao Tome and Principe has increased its outreach to the international market, expanding partnerships, increasing brand awareness, and promoting its natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourism activities through social media and tourism websites to attract more tourists.
Sao Tome and Principe has developed strategic development plans and policy support that include training and education programs, improving the quality and professionalism of services, and strengthening the links between tourism and local economies and communities.
Modern tourism development
Tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe continues to grow well, with more and more tourists discovering the beauty and uniqueness of these islands in search of tranquil resorts, the pleasures of beach and water activities, or the rich natural and cultural tourism program.
São Tomé and Príncipe offers a wide range of tourism products to meet the needs of different types of travelers, such as island holidays, beach recreation, adventure and adventure tourism, where visitors can enjoy crystal clear waters, spectacular waterfalls and rich nature.
In order to meet the growing demand for tourism, hotels and resorts in São Tomé and Príncipe are constantly growing, offering modern facilities and services to provide comfortable and convenient accommodation options, from high-end luxury hotels to mid-priced resorts.
In the face of the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change and environmental problems, Sao Tome and Principe is committed to sustainable development and ecological protection, and the government and tourism operators take measures to protect the natural environment, reduce carbon emissions, promote social responsibility and promote tourism in a more sustainable direction.
With the rapid development of the Internet and digital technology, São Tomé and Príncipe's tourism industry is also paying more and more attention to online booking and digital services, tourists can book hotels, air tickets, travel activities, etc. through various travel websites, apps and social media platforms, which provides tourists with more convenient travel arrangements and information access channels.
Sao Tome and Principe's modern tourism is thriving and diverse, with a focus on eco-cultural tourism and the widespread use of digital services, these efforts have brought economic growth opportunities to the local tourism industry.
Tourism has become the main economic pillar of Sao Tome and Principe, the development of tourism has generated economic income for the country, made an important contribution to the growth of GDP, and the prosperity of tourism has diversified the local economy and reduced dependence on traditional agriculture and fishing.
São Tomé and Príncipe is becoming a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, attracting tourists mainly from its rich ecosystem and stunning beaches, and the country's uniqueness lies in its relatively pristine and undeveloped environment, which attracts travelers seeking nature exploration and adventure.
Sao Tome and Principe's tourism industry has gone from a plantation economy to a modern tourism development, and the local government recognizes the importance of tourism development and has taken corresponding measures to bring more economic and social benefits to it.
Bibliography:
1. Tourism Development in Sao Tome and Principe: The Role of Transport Connections
2. Tourism in Sao Tome and Principe: Development Challenges for Small Island States
3. Ecotourism in Sao Tome and Principe: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development
4. Tourism Development and Sustainable Livelihoods: A Case Study of Sao Tome and Principe
5. Drivers and Barriers to Sustainable Tourism Development in Sao Tome and Principe: A Stakeholder Perspective