Rio hotels likely to reach 87% occupancy during Carnival season
A survey released Friday (Jan. 19) by the Visit Rio Convention Bureau estimates an average hotel occupancy rate of 87 percent during the Carnival period, from February 9 to Ash Wednesday, on February 14. As for tourist attractions and tours, platform Destinow, a Visit Rio partner that integrates services across the city, projects a 35 percent surge in sales compared to last year.
Visit Rio CEO Carlos Werneck said Rio de Janeiro has been consolidating its position as one of Brazil’s top destinations for Carnival revelry. The festival, he said “plays a crucial role in boosting tourism and strengthening the local economy. When the city expands its range of events beyond traditional Carnival events, it attracts even more visitors and reinforces its identity as a democratic destination that welcomes everyone.”
Festivities
Known internationally for its samba school parades and street parties, this year’s Carnival in Rio will feature over 50 private events, offering a wide range of activities for all types of revelers. Among these private parties is the traditional Copacabana Palace Ball. The 2024 edition of the event has been named Extravangarde, drawing inspiration from the main avant-garde artistic movements of the 20th century.
Further options abound. On Carnival Saturday (Feb. 10), for example, electronic music fans can enjoy ElectroCarna, in Gamboa; the Black Eletronic Carnival Party, at Vivo Rio; or the Rio Music Carnival, at Marina da Glória. On the following three days, Marina da Glória will host the Carnival of the Arts, a music festival with various attractions, including singers Ludmilla, Péricles, and Luisa Sonza. As many as 15 thousand people are expected each day.
The city has already been celebrating before the official kickoff. Since the beginning of January, samba schools have been holding rehearsals open to the public. On January 13, official parades were already taking to the streets. On February 3, the Sunday before Carnival, Rio Arena expects to welcome 15 thousand people for Bloco da Preta, led by the daughter of singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil, singer Preta Gil.
These movements encourage visitors to stay for longer, as they anticipate their arrival to enjoy the pre-Carnival period in the city, Werneck stated.
