The Cross River Tourism Bureau has announced that over 300,000 tourists attended the 32-day Calabar Carnival 2024, marking a 42% increase from 2023’s figures.
The Managing Director of the bureau, Ekpenyong Ojoi, revealed this in a statement on Saturday, emphasizing the festival’s economic impact and growth in attendance.
Attendance and Global Reach:
The Calabar Carnival 2024, held from November 1 to December 31, 2024, attracted visitors from across Nigeria and neighboring states, with 450,000 onsite spectators for major events like the Bikers Carnival, Cultural Carnival, and Children’s Carnival.
Additionally, over 1.2 billion global viewers watched the festivities on DSTV Channel 198, while online streams amassed over 100 million views.
Economic Impact:
The festival boosted the hospitality sector, with hotel occupancy rates rising to 68% compared to 57% in 2023. Notably, between December 15 and 29, more than 90% of hotels in Calabar achieved full capacity, generating ₦2.79 billion in hotel booking revenue. Food services alone contributed an estimated ₦900 million.
Key hotels like Hogis Royale, Metropolitan Hotel, and Dallas Suites accounted for 54% of the revenue. Events such as the Funfest, Calabar Fashion Show, and Queen of Humanity generated ₦100 million, while nightclubs in the region raked in ₦400 million.
Additional Revenue Streams:
Visitors spent ₦8.87 billion on transportation, covering air, road, and sea travel. Other activities, including car rentals, food, and beverages, contributed ₦1 billion to the local economy.
Ojoi emphasized the festival’s growing reputation as a premier tourism destination, cementing Calabar’s status as the “Africa’s Carnival Capital.”