São Paulo – Tourist numbers during Carnival surpassed the expectations of state-run company São Paulo Turismo (SPTuris). The Anhembi Sambadrome saw a 167% increase in tourists, which accounted for 20% of all people at the venue. Street carnival tourist numbers were up 203%, with tourists accounting for 10% of total numbers. The previously expected increase had been around 30%.
The survey was conducted by SPTuris’ studies and research arm Observatório de Turismo e Eventos. Over 1,100 people were polled at the Sambadrome on February 24 and 25. Street parade polls covered over 900 people, and will continue until March 5, the final day of parades.
International tourists made up 1% of the crowd, the same rate as in 2016.
Tourist spending also went up. In an average three-day stay, tourists spent BRL 957 (USD 307) this year, up 55.1% from BRL 617 (USD 198) in 2016.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
