Tourism development industry model in Cape Verde, including Maio Island, is not considering sustainable use of environmental resources. This means that there are great amounts of pressures on natural resources and Maio Island is not immune to them.
The tourism model, obviously conflicts with conservation efforts and sustainable management of resources. For example, designated tourism development areas include prime habitat as nesting beaches of endangered sea turtles from extinction and protected areas, especially wetlands of great importance. This approach is arguably unsustainable, not only for nature, but for locals, and is contested by officials and residents of the island.
The goal of this project is to confront this urgent threat to biodiversity and natural resources in Maio, while promoting an alternative model of sustainable development that places environmental protection as a key element for quality tourism and improvement of local living conditions. This will be done through the implementation of promotion and protection of resources as an ecotourism destination, especially of its natural and cultural heritage, and the promotion of endogenous economic alternatives for local populations linked to ecotourism development based communities.