The city of Rio de Janeiro was visited by around 730,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists during this year’s carnival celebrations (12-16 February), a 10% rise in comparison with 2009.

Rio's tourism secretary Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello said visitor numbers were boosted by the positive publicity the city has received in recent months. As well as being chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games in October last year, Rio was voted the world’s happiest city by Forbes magazine in September, and the best foreign destination for gay and lesbian tourists at the TripOut Gay Travel Awards in the United States in November.

While the spectacular parade of samba schools, won this year by Unidos da Tijuca, is probably the most well-known aspect of the festivities, the historical roots of Rio’s carnival lie in the bandas and blocos – groups of samba musicians that lead processions of revellers through the streets, with anyone welcome to join in. These neighbourhood street parties have been flourishing in recent years, their total number now standing at around 500.

Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London