The Calabar Festivals and Carnivals 2025 delivered a significant economic boost to Cross River State, injecting an estimated N17.4 billion—over $12.1 million—into the state’s economy while recording measurable gains in visitor numbers, tourism revenue, hotel occupancy, media reach, and stakeholder participation.
This was disclosed in a report by the Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, who described the annual cultural showcase as a vital engine for investment, job creation, and global visibility.
According to the report, the festivals once again proved their status as one of Africa’s most impactful cultural tourism events, drawing thousands of visitors from within Nigeria and abroad. Hotels and short-let apartments across Calabar and surrounding areas experienced near-full occupancy throughout the period, while transport operators, food vendors, event managers, artisans, and creative professionals recorded increased patronage.
Ekpenyong noted that beyond the direct financial impact, the festivals stimulated multiple sectors of the local economy, reinforcing the role of tourism as a sustainable revenue stream for the state. He emphasized that the ripple effects extended to small and medium-scale businesses that rely on the annual festivities for income generation.
The report also highlighted the expansive media coverage generated by the events, both locally and internationally, which significantly enhanced Cross River’s brand as a leading tourism destination. Increased stakeholder participation from corporate organizations, cultural groups, and international partners further strengthened the festival’s profile and reach.
He attributed the success of the 2025 edition to sustained government support, improved infrastructure, stronger private-sector collaboration, and better service delivery across the tourism value chain. These factors, he said, have positioned the Calabar Festivals and Carnivals for even greater impact in the coming years.
Ekpenyong reaffirmed the state’s commitment to leveraging culture and tourism as strategic tools for economic development, noting that continuous innovation and investment would ensure the festival remains a major contributor to Cross River State’s growth and global appeal.
