Even the official tourism website classifies Sao Tome and Principe as one of the least known countries in the world. The islands are not in a little-visited corner of the Caribbean, they are situated on the equator in the Atlantic Ocean off Guinea Bay in Central Africa. There is no mass tourism in this tropical paradise but a private Sao Tome/ South African company, the Star Group, has plans to build a casino.

Originally at the centre of the slave trade the islands became leader of sugar cane production and then, by the start of the 20th century, of cocoa. The elected government is now seeking to diversify an economy mainly dependent on cocoa, copra, palm nuts and coffee. It sees tourism as both economically imperative and ecologically sensible in its bid to stem rising unemployment, and aims to organise the islands’ infrastructure in a way that will facilitate tourism development.

The Star Group has invested over US$1 million, 65% from private Sao Tome funds and 35% from a group of South Africans. The casino is scheduled to open in May and staff training, by casino business specialists, has already commenced. Located in the Campo de Milho area close to the San Tome international airport, the casino will offer roulette, 20 slot machines and a poker table. Star Group Manager Helder Rodrigues hopes to provide a special service of quality international standard. (E-03.06.07)

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