By Chimamanda N. Adichie
The 2024 Calabar Carnival, which held from November 30 to December 31, welcomed over 300,000 tourists who spent around N8.87 billion on transportation alone. This includes costs for air, road, and sea travel, showing how much the carnival boosts Calabar’s economy and Cross River State in general.
According to the Cross River Tourism Bureau, led by Managing Director Ekpenyong Ojoi, the carnival made a significant contribution to the local economy. Tourist numbers grew by 42% compared to 2023, which saw just over 190,000 visitors. This growth was fueled by the carnival’s rising popularity, drawing people from cities like Abuja, Lagos, and nearby Akwa Ibom State.
“In 2024, over 300,000 tourists visited Calabar between November 1 and December 31. They came for the carnival and also explored attractions like the OMR, Marina Resort, and Kwa Falls,” Ojoi said.
The carnival was packed with colorful parades, thrilling performances, and creative brand showcases that kept the crowd entertained. Its reputation as one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural events continues to attract diverse visitors every year.
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Beyond the impressive number of tourists, onsite attendance also soared. Over 450,000 people attended events like the Cultural Carnival, Children’s Carnival, Bikers’ Parade, and Funfest—up from 279,486 in 2023.
Globally, the carnival’s reach expanded with over 1.2 billion people watching on DSTV and another 100 million streaming online.
The hospitality sector saw a major boost, with hotel occupancy rising from 57% in 2023 to 68% in 2024. Between December 15 and 29, more than 90% of hotels in Calabar were fully booked. Hotels alone made an estimated N2.79 billion, while food and drinks brought in another N900 million. Car rentals, entertainment, and online streaming added about N1 billion more.
Since its debut in 2004 under former Governor Donald Duke, the Calabar Carnival has grown into one of Africa’s top cultural festivals. Its success continues to drive tourism and economic growth in Calabar and beyond.