Rio hotels nearly 80% occupied for Carnival holiday
The hotel network in Rio de Janeiro has reported an average of 78.01 percent of rooms booked for the Carnival holiday, to take place this year from February 26 through March 1. The announcement was made by hotel union HotéisRIO on Thursday (Feb. 24).
The demand for Ipanema and Leblon beaches, in the south, and those of Barra, Recreio, and São Conrado, in the west, stand above the average, with occupancy at 86.47 and 82.47 percent respectively.
In the rest of the state, as per data from the Brazilian Association of the Hotel Industry of Rio de Janeiro (ABIH-RJ), hotels show an average of 78.48 percent of rooms booked. First among municipalities is Arraial do Cabo, with 95 percent, followed by Paraty, with 90 percent.
HotéisRIO head Alfredo Lopes is optimistic about the period, as the current rates have retained the positive trend observed since New Year’s Eve, thanks to domestic tourists.
“Despite the postponed parades and the suspension of street parties, Carnival occupancy is estimated to reach 85 percent, as new bookings are still coming in. After all, last year, when Carnival had no street festivities or parades, Rio de Janeiro reported an 80 percent hotel occupancy rate,” Lopes noted.
Vaccination
In addition to natural beauties—such as beaches and urban forests—Lopes pointed out, the progress in the vaccination campaign has boosted tourism in the city, not to mention the action taken by the hotel sector for sanitary security.
Most guests are Brazilians. The pricey dollar rate has led Brazilians to prefer trips within their own country. “Also, many have chosen to travel by road. These two reasons, and the fact that we’re so close to the main destinations, should keep the demand high for our city,” said Lopes.
The president of ABIH-RJ, Paulo Michel, described the hotel occupancy rates during the Carnival holiday in the state as exciting. “Since a large number of people make last-minute decisions, we believe occupancy should increase even further, with the general average reaching 85 percent.”
State Tourism Secretary Gustavo Tutuca believes Rio de Janeiro could become known as a safe destination to welcome tourists. “After a promising New Year’s, we’re confident that 2022 will be a year of great achievements for both hotels and tourism in Rio de Janeiro,” he declared.
