By Our Correspondent
Calabar reaffirmed its position as a major tourism destination in Nigeria as the 2024 edition of Carnival Calabar attracted an estimated 150,000 visitors and generated about N8.8 billion in revenue, according to a recent report.
The month long festival, themed Our Shared Prosperity, drew visitors from across the country and from the diaspora, with participants arriving by road, air and sea to take part in the celebrations.
The report noted that the N8.8 billion revenue was largely generated from transportation related spending, highlighting the strong impact of the carnival on travel and movement into the state.
The 2024 Carnival Calabar featured a wide range of activities spread over 32 days, including the colourful street parade of competing bands, cultural and musical performances, food festivals and various entertainment events.
These activities stimulated economic activity across several sectors, particularly hospitality, transportation, retail and small scale businesses.
The report also indicated that visitor turnout increased significantly compared to the previous year, reflecting growing interest in the festival and renewed confidence in Calabar as a tourism and cultural hub.
Stakeholders say the figures demonstrate the continued importance of Carnival Calabar as a key economic driver for Cross River State, contributing to job creation, increased business opportunities and the promotion of Nigerian culture to a global audience.
With its expanding scale and rising economic impact, Carnival Calabar continues to strengthen its reputation as Africas biggest street party.
