RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tourism was one of the most impacted sectors by the coronavirus pandemic. There was a reduction in air traffic and the tourist attractions were forced to remain closed for approximately five months.
However, Rio’s main tourist attractions have reopened, following several safety protocols, but with great uncertainties in relation to the public.
Approximately one month later, one can say that the return has exceeded expectations in some attractions. The Sugar Loaf cable car, for one, achieved a greater flow than expected.
Approximately a 25 percent increase of visitors was expected, but the number reached 40 percent, higher than projected. The tourism situation at Christ the Redeemer was not very different. On the holidays, the attraction reached 50 percent of the pre-pandemic flow.
One of the factors contributing to the positive results was the “Rediscover Rio” campaign, which offers 30 to 50 percent discounts on the purchase of tickets for the city’s main tourist attractions.
It is available to residents of all municipalities in the state, by simply providing proof of residence and an official picture ID. This campaign is valid until September 30th.
The tourist sites are following a strict health safety protocol, so that reopening may be safe, with no crowding and all measures in place to fight the coronavirus.