Setur-RJ announces historic partnership with themed cruises

Setur-RJ signs major partnership with themed cruises, projecting over R$ 50 million for Rio’s economy.

The State Secretariat of Tourism (Setur-RJ) and TurisRio announced on Sunday, November 16, a groundbreaking partnership with PromoAção, the largest themed cruise company in Brazil. The initiative is designed to strengthen Rio de Janeiro’s tourism sector during the 2025/2026 season.

The action is considered the largest cruise-related initiative ever carried out by the Government of Rio and includes institutional support for 14 themed trips, with 29 scheduled stops in Angra, Búzios and the capital. The project aims to boost employment, stimulate the economy and reinforce Rio as a key national destination.

The previous PromoAção season recorded 70,000 passengers, with an average occupancy rate of 96% and more than six thousand direct and temporary jobs generated. A study by CLIA Brasil in partnership with FGV indicates that each passenger generates an average impact of R$ 710 in stopover cities.

The expectation is that cruise circulation this season will inject more than R$ 50 million into the state’s economy, benefiting restaurants, bars, tour guides, artisans, hotels and other tourism-related services.

Themed cruises represent an important opportunity for the state. According to FGV, each visitor disembarking in Rio, Angra or Búzios generates an average economic impact of R$ 710, stimulating transport, commerce and the broader production chain.

“It is a strategic action that reinforces tourism as one of the major drivers of Rio’s economy. We are investing to transform tourism growth into income, employment and development across the state,” stated the State Secretary of Tourism, Gustavo Tutuca.

With Setur-RJ’s support, three cruises – Chitãozinho & Xororó, Cabaré 2025 (Leonardo) and Tempo Rei (Gilberto Gil) – now include Rio de Janeiro as an official stop.

The partnership also includes an official Setur-RJ activation aboard the MSC Preziosa. An institutional stand will showcase the state’s 12 tourist regions and distribute promotional materials such as sarongs and visors to strengthen the Rio brand.

The initiative comes at a moment of strong expansion for Rio’s tourism sector. Until October, the state welcomed 1.79 million international tourists, an increase of more than 50% compared to the same period in 2024, with projections surpassing two million foreign visitors by December.