From World Cup underdog to tourism hotspot: interest in Cabo Verde soars

For years, Cabo Verde has been one of Europe's best-kept beach secrets.

Now, thanks to an unforgettable FIFA World Cup performance, the tiny nation in the central Atlantic Ocean is suddenly on the radar of travellers around the world

The West African archipelago, home to just 550,000 people, captured the attention of millions of football (soccer) fans after becoming the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage.

It then nearly pulled off one of the tournament's biggest moments, pushing defending champion Argentina and Lionel Messi to extra time before falling 3-2 in a thrilling match.

That unexpected run is now translating into something equally valuable: global tourism exposure.

Travel searches soar

As first reported by Skift, travel companies and search platforms are reporting a dramatic spike in interest in Cabo Verde as the team's Cinderella story unfolded

TUI said searches for the destination doubled, while Expedia recorded an increase of more than 800 per cent in searches from the United States.

Interest from Japan also climbed 110 per cent, according to travel data.

For a destination that remains relatively unknown in North America, the tournament may have delivered the kind of global marketing campaign that tourism boards can only dream of.

What, and where, is Cabo Verde? (Or Cape Verde, as it is also known). 

The destination is a volcanic archipelago of 10 islands, located roughly 500 kilometres off the coast of West Africa, that’s known for its year-round sunshine, dramatic landscapes and beaches, and a unique blend of African and Portuguese culture

It covers a total land area of about 4,033 square kilometres and is sometimes viewed as a quieter alternative to Spain's Canary Islands.

Cabo Verde’s official language is Portuguese, but many locals speak Cape Verdean Creole (known locally as Kriolu or Kabuverdianu).

Despite welcoming approximately 1.2 million visitors annually, local tourism remains heavily dependent on European travellers, many of whom tend to stay at all-inclusive resorts on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.

The country's other islands offer a different experience, with rugged volcanic scenery, hiking, water sports and vibrant Creole culture.

The local government has been working to diversify its visitor base, supported by a US$75-million investment from the World Bank aimed at strengthening the tourism sector and encouraging broader economic development.

The World Cup spotlight could provide an unexpected boost, particularly in the lucrative U.S. market where many travellers are only now discovering the destination.

The "World Cup effect"

History suggests the "World Cup effect" can have lasting economic benefits.

Croatia's tourism industry experienced a massive boom following its appearance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, with global awareness of the country doubling from 35 per cent to 70 per cent and added an estimated $1 billion in tourism revenue the following year.

Croatia finishing in third place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup had a similar effect.

Combined with its entry into the Schengen Area and adoption of the Euro in 2023, the heightened international profile helped propel the country to record visitor numbers, surpassing 20 million annual arrivals by 2024, with particularly strong growth from North American.

Morocco saw a similar phenomenon after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022.

International arrivals jumped from 10.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023 before climbing even higher, helping Morocco become Africa's most-visited tourism destination and generating billions in tourism revenue.

Whether Cabo Verde can replicate that success remains to be seen. Unlike Croatia or Morocco, it begins from a much lower profile.

But if even a small percentage of the millions who watched the island nation challenge the world's best athletes make a booking, Cabo Verde's greatest victory may ultimately come long after the final whistle.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.