The recently concluded 2024 Calabar Carnival in Cross River State, Nigeria, has been hailed as a massive success, with over 1.2 billion global viewers and 450,000 onsite spectators recorded during the 32-day event. The Cross River Tourism Bureau disclosed the figures on Saturday through its Managing Director, Ekpenyong Ojoi, in a statement released in Lagos.
Ojoi highlighted a 42% increase in tourist attendance compared to the previous year. “Calabar recorded over 300,000 tourists from November 1 to December 31, 2024, who came for the Calabar Carnival and to visit attractions such as the OMR, Marina Resort, and Kwa Falls,” he said. Most visitors traveled from Abuja, Lagos, and neighboring Akwa Ibom State.
Record-Breaking Attendance and Viewership
The 2024 festival saw an estimated 450,000 onsite spectators attending events like the Carnival Calabar, the Cultural Carnival, the Children’s Carnival, and the Bikers Carnival. This marked a significant increase from 2023, which recorded 279,486 spectators. Additionally, over 1.2 billion global viewers watched the event on DSTV Channel 198, while over 100 million viewers streamed the events online.
Tourism Growth and Revenue
The carnival boosted Calabar’s hospitality industry, with accommodation occupancy rates rising to 68% from 57% in 2023. Between December 15 and December 29, more than 90% of hotels in Calabar achieved full occupancy. Revenue from hotel bookings alone was estimated at ₦2.79 billion ($1.74 million), with approximately 3,600 bed spaces fully booked.
Ojoi also noted that revenue from food and breakfast services during the festival reached an estimated ₦900 million ($562,000). Popular hotels such as Hogis Royale, Metropolitan Hotel, and Monty Suits accounted for 54% of hotel revenue.
Event-Specific Revenues
Ticketed events, including Funfest, the Calabar Fashion Show, and Queen of Humanity, generated an estimated ₦100 million ($66,000). Additionally, the city’s five major nightclubs contributed ₦400 million ($267,000) to the local economy. Other activities like online streaming, food and drinks, and car rentals added approximately ₦1 billion ($667,000) in revenue.
Transportation Spending Soars
Visitors to the carnival spent an estimated ₦8.87 billion on transportation, covering air, road, and sea travel.
The 2024 Calabar Carnival has reinforced its status as Africa’s largest street party, drawing significant attention and investment to Cross River State. With its blend of culture, entertainment, and tourism, the event continues to serve as a major driver of economic growth and global recognition for the region.