RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Almost two weeks before New Year’s Eve, the hotel network in the city of Rio de Janeiro is fully booked. According to data from the Rio de Janeiro Hotels Association (ABIH-RJ), the 2021 to 2022 New Year’ Eve is looking better than the past two years, including 2019, before the pandemic, which closed at 88% occupancy.
In 2020, with more restrictive measures in the city, hotels had 70% of rooms booked. ABIH- RJ Board chairman Alfredo Lopes says the figures are good and the moment is of hope for the sector.
“With the high dollar, Rio is an excellent option. We will certainly register a good economic activity in the city.” Lopes highlighted.
Without the Copacabana beachfront mega event, establishments are investing in private parties. The Othon hotel in Copacabana has virtually no rooms available for the busiest days. Unlike in 2020, the scenario this time has attracted clients, but the traveler’s profile has changed, according to hotel manager Jorge Chaves.
“We are counting on many more domestic clients than foreigners, Covid-19 is at different points in other countries and that leads to many travelers not being able to be with us this year. Nevertheless, some markets like the American and some European countries have shown interest and we have great demand from these clients for this holiday, which is the most sought after date for this client profile.”
The Hotel Nacional in São Conrado is fully booked. All reservations for New Year’s Eve are closed. People who decide to stay in a hotel with a sea view often want a more intimate party. On New Year’s Eve various attractions are being programmed to entertain guests.
In order to cope with the number of guests, the hotel is going in the opposite direction of the pandemic, hiring new employees, assures general manager Renata Beraldo. “We have increased our staff a lot precisely to meet this increase in demand. I had 170 employees and I’m reaching 220.”
“With demand returning, there is more job generation and we are able to contribute as a business. It is an important social issue, generate jobs and contribute to families, as well as the issue of the sector itself taking shape. The tourism sector is highly representative within the GDP, and this is providing additional support for us to emerge stronger from this crisis”.
Tourists’ choice of Rio de Janeiro city seems not to have been affected by the announcement of the cancellation of the traditional Copacabana party, in Rio’s south zone. During a press conference on December 8, mayor Eduardo Paes informed that a “simplified” version of the super event will be held this year, to prevent crowds due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Without concerts, New Year’s Eve will be marked by fireworks and 25 sound towers, but no live music. The attraction will be held in another 9 points in the city where celebrations will take place: Flamengo beach, Piscinão de Ramos, Ilha do Governador, Penha Church, Madureira Park, Bangu, Sepetiba beach, Recreio beach and Barra da Tijuca.
British Daniel George Clegg is one of the foreigners who chose to come to the city of Rio to spend New Year’s Eve. For the first time in Brazil, he says that he now feels safer about traveling again, and the fact that there is no Copacabana party did not hinder his plans.
“I chose to go to Rio because the love of my life lives there. This is the first time I’ve traveled since Covid-19. I hope to see Rio vibrant, happy with parties. Hopefully the weather will be good, Rio has good food, culture and lots of things to see and do,” he says.
According to data released by RIOgaleão, the international airport expects the arrival of up to 120,000 domestic passengers and 33,000 foreigners for the second half of December. The majority of international tourists will come from Argentina, Chile and Europe.