Tourism will inject R$ 5.8 billion in the economy at Carnival

Those who like Carnival will find good options to party all over the country. Olinda (state of Pernambuco), Pirenópolis (state of Goiás), Port Seguro (state of Bahia), Rio de Janeiro and Ouro Preto (state of Minas Gerais) are some of the destinations that play host to a great number of tourists this time of the year. The holiday has its own features in each region.

So much diversity leads to intense mobilisation - travelling, searching for accommodation, food, transport and the parties themselves - which drive the country's economy. According to estimates from the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC), tourist activities will translate into R$ 5.8 billion being injected into the economy.

Over 8% of this amount corresponds to three segments: food, transport and lodgings. Trade in establishments like bars and restaurants for instance, will correspond to R$ 3.31 billion.

Road transport corresponds to R$ 977.9 million, while hotels, guesthouses and other lodgings will have a share of R$ 625.5 million. The other 15% are divided in artistic, sport and leisure activities, in addition to travel agencies, air transport and others.

The vehicle rental sector is expecting an increase in demand between 10 and 20% for the whole summer, and Carnival is responsible for a good part of this result.

Regional highlights

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo together concentrate 68.2% of the revenues generated in the Carnival period. According to CNC, Rio will be responsible for injecting R$ 2.4 billion in the economy, while São Paulo will inject R$ 1.5 billion.

Other promising states in relation to tourism revenues are Minas Gerais (R$ 332.7 million), Bahia (R$308.7 million), Ceará (R$ 140.3 million) and Pernambuco (R$131.4 million).

Rio will plays host to around 1.1 million tourists. According to data from the Brazilian Travel Agencies Association (Abav), Rio de Janeiro was the city where the most carnival packages were sold in the country. Visitors are expected to rent 45 thousand automobiles from hire shops, half of the state's fleet.

The federal government and São Paulo City Hall have already invested R$ 60 million in tourist infrastructure construction works, which will strengthen the city's economy in the carnival period.

“We expect the Carnival in São Paulo to reach a new level of quality, presenting a ever more surprising show, attracting more and more tourists”, mentioned the president of the Brazilian Tourism Board (Embratur), Vinicius Lummertz.

In the Minas Gerais state, retailers are optimistic. Over 59% of retailers are expecting an increase in sales in comparison to last year. For the bar and restaurant sector, the percentage of companies predicting an increase in revenues is even bigger: 69%.

In Salvador, capital city of the state of Bahia, the party will attract 750 thousand tourists and generate between 210 and 250 thousand job, according to City Hall. The Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants in Bahia (Abrasel-BA) is estimating that such establishments will create 18 thousand temporary vacancies.

City Hall will also grant 2.5 thousand permits for street vendors and another 500 for different activities, like food trucks, as well as acarajé and other stands.

In the hotel sector, the city will create four thousand extra temporary vacancies, according to the Brazilian Association of the Hotel Industry (ABIH). The figure follows the average of previous years.

According to information from the Union of Rope Holders, Inspectors, Support Personnel and Coordinators of Carnival Associations of the state of Bahia (Sindcorda), Carnival will create around 25 thousand jobs, with the hiring of security people and supervisors.