From World Cup Underdogs To Holiday Hotspot: Why Cape Verde Is Suddenly On Travellers’ Radars

Sometimes, inspiration for your next holiday appears where you least expect it. For millions of people watching the World Cup, Cape Verde may initially have been little more than a name on the fixture list. Its performance on the world’s stage has now encouraged travellers to look beyond football and discover an Atlantic archipelago filled with sweeping beaches, volcanic landscapes and a culture shaped by African and Portuguese influences.

We were recently featured in Forbes, discussing the exploration of why Cape Verde is suddenly appearing on travellers’ radars, where our Chief Marketing Officer, Andrew Harrison-Chinn, discussed how sporting success can introduce an overlooked destination to an entirely new audience. The article also highlighted our latest Dragonpass travel research into emerging destinations, which found that 28% of Brits are actively looking at emerging destinations. Among travellers aged between 18 and 24, this rises to 47%. For us, Cape Verde is a clear example of how quickly that curiosity can become genuine holiday intent.

Major sporting events do more than introduce audiences to new players. They place countries, cultures and communities in front of millions of people who may previously have known very little about them. 

As Andrew put it in Forbes: “When a team captures public imagination during the World Cup, people often move beyond the match.”

They begin searching for the country itself: where it is, what the weather is like, which islands they can visit and how a holiday there might feel. Cape Verde’s World Cup story appears to have created exactly this effect. Independent travel-industry data reported by Skift found that searches for Cape Verde through TUI’s digital channels had doubled compared with June 2025. Expedia also recorded an increase of more than 800% in searches from US travellers, while interest from Japan rose by 110%. Those figures support what we are seeing in our own research. Travellers, particularly younger adults, are increasingly open to looking beyond the destinations they already know.

Our research found that almost half of 18-to-24-year-olds are actively considering emerging destinations. That suggests many younger travellers are not simply looking for another version of the same established holiday. Instead, they want discovery. They want places with a distinctive identity and experiences that feel less predictable. They may also be more likely to find travel inspiration through football, film, social media and cultural moments rather than traditional brochures alone.

Cape Verde fits naturally into this picture. It offers the ease and infrastructure of an established sunshine destination, while still giving many UK travellers the sense that they are discovering somewhere new. The country was already welcoming growing numbers of visitors before its World Cup run. Figures attributed to Cape Verde’s National Statistics Institute show that the country’s accommodation establishments hosted 1,248,052 guests in 2025, representing an increase of 6% compared with 2024. Football has now given millions more people a reason to take a closer look.

Before booking a Cape Verde holiday, we recommend deciding what you want from the trip rather than treating the country as a single destination. Sal and Boa Vista are natural starting points for travellers who want beaches, resorts and a straightforward place to unwind. Santiago may appeal more to people interested in local history and everyday Cape Verdean life. São Vicente is a strong option for music and evening culture, while Santo Antão suits travellers who would happily exchange some time beside the pool for hiking through mountain scenery.

It is also worth deciding whether you plan to stay on one island or travel between several. Island-hopping can reveal more of Cape Verde’s character, but domestic connections, luggage allowances and transfer times should be researched before international flights and accommodation are confirmed.

Travelling somewhere less familiar can be exciting, but it often comes with a little more planning. Checking connections, airport transfers, entry requirements, mobile data and luggage rules before departure can help remove avoidable pressure from the journey. We also recommend finding out whether you already receive Dragonpass travel benefits through your bank, payment card, telecoms provider or another membership programme.

Depending on your access, you may be able to begin the trip in one of more than 1,400 airport lounges available through Dragonpass. A lounge can offer somewhere quieter to check the final details of your itinerary, charge your phone and enjoy food or drink before boarding. Travellers who would prefer to eat elsewhere in the terminal can explore participating airport restaurants and dining benefits, including discounts, set menus and cash-value offers at selected locations.

Eligible travellers may also be able to use airport Fast Track to access a priority security route at participating airports. It does not remove the security process, but it can help make the start of the journey feel faster and more predictable. Staying connected becomes especially important when visiting somewhere new. Maps, transfer confirmations, hotel details and translation tools often live on our phones, so arranging mobile data before arrival can provide valuable reassurance. Eligible users can access savings on travel eSIMs through Dragonpass, helping reduce the risk of unexpected roaming costs abroad.

Cape Verde’s World Cup performance may have introduced the country to a global audience, but its beaches, landscapes and distinctive island cultures are what could keep travellers interested long after the tournament ends.Your next destination may not come from a traditional travel brochure or somewhere you have visited before. It could begin with a football match and a moment of curiosity about a country you had never previously considered. Cape Verde’s soaring search figures show how quickly a place can move from relative unfamiliarity to the top of people’s holiday lists.

Before your next journey, explore the travel experiences available through Dragonpass and discover how lounge access, airport dining, Fast Track and connectivity benefits could help you begin the trip with greater comfort and ease.