The shores of Praia de Santiago in Cape Verde.gettyFor years, Cape Verde flew under the radar for most international travelers, but thanks to an inspiring World Cup run, search terms like “Flights to Cape Verde” has reached an all-time high. Plus, the top trending vacation packages and all-inclusive resort searches has been for Cape Verde.The Link Between Sports and Travel Tarrafal Beach, on Santiago Island in Cape Verde.getty“International sporting events bring destinations into people’s homes,” says Dr. Tracy King, a Clinical Psychologist, and travel adviser. She explains that the World Cup taps into the concept of belonging. Humans are wired for tribe, rhythm, movement, story and shared emotion. For the nervous system, shared excitement can feel regulating. People sing together, cheer together, dress in colors, follow rituals and feel part of something larger than themselves. That collective energy can be incredibly powerful, particularly in a time when many people feel isolated or disconnected. The World Cup reminds people that the world is bigger than just them. This can then be a catalyst to travel which then becomes a move towards personal development and growth.Dr. King explains that there’s a concept that’s called ‘mere exposure effect’, which suggests that the more often we see something, the more familiar and psychologically safe it begins to feel. “A country like Cape Verde may not have been on someone’s radar before, but once they see the team, the fans, the culture and feel the emotion around the World Cup, the destination starts to feel familiar.” Dr. King notes that this has a direct impact on the nervous system. Travel involves novelty, which activates excitement and threat. For some, an unfamiliar destination can feel too uncertain. But when a place becomes associated with joy, pride, celebration and human bonding, the nervous system starts to see it as far less risky.Converting Curiosity Into Bookings “Cape Verde’s surge in search interest shows how quickly a major sporting moment can turn a lesser-considered destination into a serious travel contender,” says Andrew Harrison-Chinn, CMO of Dragonpass. When a team captures public imagination during the World Cup, people often move beyond the match itself and begin searching for the place, the culture and the type of holiday they could build around it. Cape Verde is particularly well placed to convert curiosity into bookings because it already sits in a very attractive travel space. “It offers year-round sun, long sandy beaches, Atlantic Island scenery and a strong all-inclusive resort market, especially on islands such as Sal and Boa Vista,” says Harrison-Chinn. As a result, travelers can move from discovery to decision making quite quickly, because the holiday proposition is already familiar, while the destination still feels fresh.“Our research earlier this year actually found 47% of 18–24s say they want to travel to emerging destinations. Sporting success can create a halo effect for tourism because it gives people a reason to look more closely at a place they may previously have known only as a beach destination,” says Harrison-Chinn. Once that interest begins, travelers often start to explore the wider culture, from food and music to local neighborhoods, landscapes and island-hopping routes.The Diversity of Cape VerdeSunset over Mindelo, in Cape Verde.getty"What makes Cape Verde particularly compelling at this moment is that it hasn't yet been fully absorbed into the standard luxury travel circuit and its real distinction is how little its ten islands have in common with each other,” Zain Richardson, Chief Executive Officer at ASMALLWORLD. He explains that Boa Vista is all about dunes and Atlantic wind. Fogo is a volcanic crater with vineyards producing wine at altitude. Santo Antão is valley hiking terrain of the kind that takes visitors completely by surprise. “I believe the destination will sustain interest long after the initial search surge has settled,” adds RichardsonBeach Destinations Beyond the Caribbean Sao Vicente, Cape Verdegetty“Part of what we’re seeing is people looking for less traveled and touristy island destinations. The Caribbean and the Canary Islands, for example, are extremely popular and crowded,” says Jason Stevens, CEO of Wayfairer Travel. “People are looking for a more well-rounded vacation, one full of adventure and culture, rather than a resort-only experience.” He explains that Cape Verde offers an attractive blend of beaches, hiking, music, culture, and outdoor adventures that will appeal to people looking for less commercialized vacations.Where to Go in Cape Verde The Praia lighthouse in Cape Verde.getty“Cape Verde, located off the coast of West Africa, offers a distinct travel experience for visitors,” says Maria Hughes, travel expert for goodtogo. She explains that Sal is Cape Verde’s tourism hotspot. Boasting relaxing resorts, beautiful beaches, and bustling tourist towns, it makes for an ideal family holiday destination. Boa Vista meanwhile is Sal’s more reserved sister, offering some of the best beaches in the world and stunning hotels that are a bit quieter than those on Sal.Elsewhere, other islands offer just as much to visitors. Santiago is home to the country’s capital city, Praia, as well as its only UNESCO world heritage site. “It’s one of the main cultural destinations of Cape Verde, along with the island of Sao Vicente, which is famous for its nightlife, carnival atmosphere, and music scene,” says Hughes. "Lastly, Santo Antao is famous for its stunning natural beauty, rugged mountains and hiking trails.”More from Forbes Travel Are Wellness Retreats Actually Good For You—Or Just Marketing?How Travel Can Reduce Stress—Mental Health Experts ExplainDestination Wedding Gets Canceled? Here’s What Guests Should Do NextHow Travel Can Make You More Adaptable And Emotionally FlexibleHow The Food You Eat When You Travel Affects Your Gut Health