Carnival Calabar 2024 Breaks Records, Boosts Cross River Economy
The Cross River State Government has declared the 2024 Carnival Calabar the most successful edition in its 20-year history, recording unprecedented gains in tourism and economic growth.
According to the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, the carnival saw a 42% increase in attendance compared to 2023, with an estimated 450,000 onsite spectators and over 1.2 billion global viewers on DSTV. Online streaming reached over 100 million viewers during the festival.
The influx of over 150,000 tourists contributed an estimated ₦8.875 billion to transportation spending alone, while the hospitality sector generated ₦2.79 billion in revenue from hotel bookings, with an occupancy rate of 68% during the carnival period.
Tourist sites such as Obudu Mountain Resort, Marina Resort, and Kwa Falls attracted over 300,000 visitors between November and December 2024, nearly doubling the 190,345 recorded in 2023.
Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Commission, Gab Onah, described the growth as a testament to the government’s commitment to revitalizing tourism. He added that the state’s efforts have reestablished Cross River as a premier destination in Africa, driving sustainable economic growth through tourism.
