Thousands of tourists have flocked to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate New Year at the famous Copacabana beach.
Rio's Tourism Secretary says hotel occupation has reached a record 11 percent up from last year in the same period.
[Antonio Pedro Mello, Rio’s Tourism Secretary]:
"We expect that until December 30th, 31st, Rio de Janeiro's hotels will already be working on their maximum lodging capacity. And we have to consider that this year we had an increase in the number of hotel rooms from last year."
Some 2 million revelers dressed in traditional white are expected to flock to Copacabana beach to welcome 2010. And watch a 20-minutes fireworks show that will light up the two-and-a-half mile beach.
The fireworks’ Chief Fireman says the shows’ 24 tonnes of explosives are completely safe.
[Colonel Roni de Azevedo, Chief Fireman]:
"This (fireworks) show organized by the City Hall, the official fireworks show, is very safe and it is important that we mention that.”
Tourists are eagerly awaiting Rio’s New Year’s party, as hundreds of workers are finishing setting up the four music stages.
[Nicky Stone, UK Tourist]:
"I think is going to be a fantastic party on the beach, I've heard everyone dresses in white so it's going to look amazing, some fireworks… By the look, everything is going on back here, and (it) looks as far it's going to be (a great) party, it's going to be, it should be a good night."
While others are hoping 2010 will bring more peace and optimism.
[Jane Thomas, UK Tourist]:
"(I'm) hoping that 2010 is going to be a like bit more settled. Maybe we'll have a bit of peace for a change, a bit more optimism and thingswill start to look up a bit for a lot of people."
Apparently the hosting of the 2016 Olympics has boosted tourism in Rio and now over half a million tourists are expected to visit the city until February’s carnival season.
in http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_sa/2009-12-29/170882211028.html
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