Today, people find travel inspiration online, in magazines, and even in movies. But more recently, some have been discovering their next vacation destination via a less likely source: the FIFA World Cup.
Hosted by the United States (alongside Mexico and Canada) for the first time since 1994, the World Cup has brought people from all over the world—about 10 million international tourists, according to the US government—stateside. And by many accounts, these visitors are having a ball. They’re trying American barbecue for the first time, falling in love with ranch dressing (and trying to bring as much of it home as possible), and going to pharmacies to stock up on melatonin. Or if they’re Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, they’re buying a taxidermied raccoon drinking whiskey in Texas and bringing it home as a souvenir.
As the tournament approaches its thrilling conclusion, it seems poised to have ripple effects on travel trends beyond the trips booked around the matches themselves. “One of the biggest things the World Cup does is introduce travelers to destinations they may not have previously considered,” says Nicole Janoff, vice president of leisure travel at Magma Global, a Virtuoso Agency. Meanwhile, Expedia has seen a 265% increase in searches for Cape Verde since the start of the cup, according to a representative for the company.
Other destinations that might see an increase in tourism following their teams’ runs in the World Cup? Norway, Curacao, Scotland, and Morocco. If you’re looking to plan a World Cup-inspired trip to one of these countries, here is a quick guide to get you started.
Cape Verde
Photo: Getty Images
Cape Verde put itself on the map when its team came heart-wrenchingly close to beating Argentina, in what would’ve been the biggest football upset in years. For the unfamiliar, Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde as it is known to locals, is a cluster of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, about 350 miles off the coast of West Africa. It was a Portuguese colony and then a province of Portugal before gaining independence in 1975. “Travelers will find beautiful beaches, hiking, water sports, vibrant music, and a very unique blend of African and Portuguese culture,” says Janoff. “It is a wonderful destination for someone looking to go somewhere that feels less traveled.” Flights from the US to Cape Verde usually involve a layover in Lisbon or Casablanca. If you’re looking to stay on the beach (while also being close to town), you might consider the Morabeza Hotel in the city of Santa Maria, the main tourist area.
