Our History

Since 1978

Since 1978

Navetur-Equatour: A Chronology of Tourism and Logistics in São Tomé and Príncipe

1978

Navetur, a shipping agency, is founded.

1996

The tourist agency Equatours merges with Navetur, creating a dynamic link between maritime transport and tourism.

2000

Navetur-Equatour expands its services to include tours, trekking, and rural tourism.

2001

The company focuses on sustainable development through staff training, discovering new trails, and building and rehabilitating bridges in the natural park.

2002

Demand for eco-packages grows rapidly, leading to the hiring of more staff and the purchase of new vehicles.

2003

The company actively participates in defining a tourism model for the country through its work on the National Council of Tourism.

2004

The company’s reputation grows, featured in well-known publications and channels such as Bradt’s guide, The Independent, The Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN Travel Magazine, and Condé Nast.

2005

As tourist traffic increases, the company invests in more vehicles and hires more staff to improve service quality and personalized customer care.

2006

The company focuses on responsible tourism, offering personalized programs and encouraging ethical guidelines for tour operators and clients.

Logistics activities begin with the Threshold Program of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

2007

Unstable airline connections reduce tourism traffic. As a pioneer in the sector, the company participates in the creation of the Santomean Tourism Association (AST) to promote positive collaboration.

2008

The international financial crisis causes a decline in visitor numbers, despite the company’s participation in international tourism fairs.

2009

The logistics process with the Threshold Program of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is concluded.

2012

The tourism industry recovers, and the company resumes its search for new routes and options.

2013

A record year for the company with the passage of 16 cruise ships, leading to a significant increase in visitors.

2015

Logistics activities grow, serving numerous military vessels from France, England, Spain, and Portugal.

2019-2020

The Covid-19 pandemic halts all tourism activity. The company continues to operate solely on logistics for military vessels.

2022-2023

Conventional tourism relaunches, with São Tomé receiving about 36,000 tourists.

The company’s cruise ship movement grows by about 25% of the national total, with 7,000 visitors. Logistics for military vessels also expand.

What we want

Participate actively to consolidate the national economy.
Motivate both Santomeans and foreigners to protect the national patrimony, natural as well as cultural
Influence on grass root level as on governmental level the future of São Tomé and Príncipe so that it will also be a wonderful place to live for the next generations