- Flight bookings to Cape Verde surged 50.3pc during the World Cup.
- Forward bookings for September 2026 to March 2027 were 14.4pc higher.
- Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain and reached the knockout rounds.
- Africa welcomed 81m international visitors last year, up 8pc.
- Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Flight bookings for Cape Verde surged by 50pc during the FIFA World Cup, according to data from the Data Appeal Company and ATTA. Analysis showed flight bookings made through Global Distribution Systems between 11 and 30 June 2026 for summer travel to Cape Verde increased 50.3pc year-on-year. Forward bookings for travel between September 2026 and March 2027 were 14.4pc higher than during the same period last year.
Cape Verde became one of the surprise stories of the tournament after drawing 0-0 with Spain and progressing through the group stage unbeaten before narrowly losing 3-2 to Argentina in the knockout rounds. Carlos Cendra, Director of Marketing and Communications at Data Appeal, stated the results suggested the World Cup generated both an immediate uplift in travel demand and a sustained increase in forward bookings.
Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA, stated the 2026 FIFA World Cup had given African destinations an unprecedented level of global visibility. She stated Africa’s tourism sector is already experiencing strong momentum, welcoming 81m international visitors last year, an 8pc increase on the previous year. Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Carlos Cendra, Director of Marketing and Communications at Data Appeal, shared, “These results suggest the FIFA World Cup generated both an immediate uplift in travel demand and a sustained increase in forward bookings.”
Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA, shared, “The 2026 FIFA World Cup has given African destinations an unprecedented level of global visibility.”
