Brazilian property owners out in force for New Year event
The level of hotel occupation in Brazil has soared as party-goers prepare to welcome in the new year South American-style.
Brazilian property owners and tourists will gather at the famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on New Year’s Eve to bring in 2010, with over two million onlookers expected.
They will be treated to a 20-minute fireworks display which is set to light up the two-and-a-half mile beach.
Antonio Pedro Mello, Rio’s tourism secretary, told the New Tang Dynasty Television company that this year’s party is set to be even bigger than the one which took place in 2008/09.
Nicky Stone, a UK tourist who is planning to attend the event, said: "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."
Brazilian property owners in Rio were given an early festive present when the world’s largest floating Christmas tree was unveiled in the city, standing at 278 ft tall.
