The report describes tourism as concentrated on a small number of islands, with Sal and Boa Vista drawing most visitors. All-inclusive holidays are also prominent, while a handful of large operators account for much of the accommodation market.
That model can bring visitors quickly, but it risks keeping much of their spending inside resort grounds. If hotels import a large share of their food and drink, local farmers, fishers and small businesses may capture less of the tourism boom. More visitors alone will not guarantee broader prosperity.
Efforts to improve direct air connections could help Cape Verde reach new markets, but movement between islands remains a key challenge. The report describes domestic flights as limited and costly, with ferry services also unreliable. That makes it harder for visitors to explore beyond the best-known beach destinations.
Cultural travel, yachting and longer stays by remote workers are among the alternatives raised in the report. Each could widen the country’s appeal, provided investment in transport, training and local businesses keeps pace.
The next test is whether better air links can be matched by dependable island-to-island travel and a more varied tourism offer. The World Cup spotlight may fade, but Cape Verde’s chance to turn curiosity into longer stays-and more locally shared income-will depend on what happens next.