The increased international visibility the city has gained after the election to host 2016 Olympic Games has certainly contributed to Rio’s Carnival good results this year. This is how the municipal secretary of Tourism Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello sees this year’s performance. In the Carnival period the city has received approximately 730 thousand tourists, with a hotel occupancy rate of 94%. This rate accounts for an increase by ten percentage points against 2009 figures. This year these visitors generated R$ 528 million income, topping last year’s R$ 521 million ." Rio is in the headlines since it was elected to host 2016 Games. Celebrities from all over the world have been visiting us and helping to keep media’s interest in the city”, the secretary said.