Cape Verde scores travel success amid World Cup glory

The success of Cape Verde’s football team in the World Cup has boosted bookings to the little-known destination in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Senegal.

Cape Verde became one of the smallest nations to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, putting the Atlantic archipelago in front of a global audience.

Known as the Blue Sharks, the team drew with their group stage opponents – Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and the eventual winners Spain – before narrowly losing 3-2 against the eventual finalists Argentina 3-2 in the knockout stage.

Booking data from Data Appeal Company/Almaviva Group and the African Travel and Tourism Association (Atta) revealed a sharp rise in both immediate and forward travel for country.

Flight bookings made through global distribution systems (GDS) between June 11-30 for summer travel to Cape Verde increased 50% year-on-year.

Forward bookings for travel between September 2026 and March 2027 were also 14.4% higher than during the same period last year.

Carlos Cendra, marketing and communications director at Data Appeal, said: “These results suggest the Fifa World Cup generated both an immediate uplift in travel demand and a sustained increase in forward bookings.

“Cape Verde’s outstanding performances on the global stage significantly raised the destination’s international profile, demonstrating how major sporting events can translate into tangible tourism benefits when a country captures the world’s attention.”

 Virginia Messina, group chief executive of Atta, added: “The 2026 Fifa World Cup has given African destinations an unprecedented level of global visibility.

“A record 10 African nations qualified for the tournament and many captured the world’s imagination with their performances, supporters and cultures.

“Cape Verde demonstrated just how powerful that exposure can be. As the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages, the country became one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.

“That kind of positive international attention creates curiosity, inspires travel and helps destinations reach entirely new audiences.

“Africa’s tourism sector is already experiencing strong momentum, welcoming 81 million international visitors last year, an 8% increase on the previous year.

“While wildlife remains a major draw, major sporting events help showcase a much broader picture of the continent – its music, fashion, cuisine, creativity and contemporary culture.

“That wider exposure can influence travel decisions long after the final whistle.

“With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup, the continent has another opportunity to convert global attention into long-term tourism growth and investment.”