New Year’s Eve in Rio, São Paulo, Salvador and Fortaleza Moves R$5.6 billion

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The New Year’s Eve celebrations in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador and Fortaleza, four of the country’s main tourist destinations, is expected to yield approximately R$5.6 (US$1.4) billion.

The data is from the Ministry of Tourism, based on a survey on hotel occupancy rates for the end-of-year celebration prepared by the Brazilian Association of Hotel Industry (ABIH) and released on Friday, December 27th.

According to the association, estimates point to occupancy rates at around 90 percent, with an expectation of 100 percent, in some cases like Rio de Janeiro. For this year, more than 2.8 million people are expected in the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro at the turnout in Copacabana, stage of the country’s largest fireworks display.

“Of this total, Riotur [a municipal tourism company] estimates that between 1.7 and 1.9 million are tourists. The average occupancy during the period is 90 percent, and it can reach 100 percent in the most sought-after neighborhoods. The expected financial impact is about R$3 billion (US$750 million),” the ministry of tourism’s communications office said.

In Fortaleza, more than 650,000 tourists are expected to toast the arrival of 2020. According to the secretary of tourism of Fortaleza, the rate of hotel occupation is 96 percent with expected gains of R$1.6 billion.

Among the attractions featured at the Iracema Beach are names like Jorge Ben Jor, Calcinha Preta, Matheus and Kauan, Alok, Fagner, Nando Reis and the duo Simone and Simaria.

In Salvador, the New Year’s Eve should have almost 500,000 tourists walking through the historical city’s streets. The majority of expected Brazilian visitors come from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Among the foreigners, French and North Americans are highlighted. A turnover of R$407.2 million is expected in the city’s economy.

In São Paulo, the traditional celebration on Paulista Avenue is expected to attract over one million people, with an expected financial impact of R$600 million. The celebration, scheduled to begin at 6 PM, will have as attractions the singing duos Anavitória, Marcos and Belutti, and singer Lulu Santos, who will count down on New Year’s Eve. The group Chiclete com Banana and the samba school Rosas de Ouro will also perform.