The block is on the street

analysis of revelers' perceptions of Carnival in Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

Carnival is one of Brazil’s major tourist events and is considered the country’s largest popular celebration. As a result, developing Carnival festivities that offer positive experiences and are capable of attracting larger crowds has been a priority for local authorities in various destinations. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), the carnival held in the municipality of Caicó is regarded as one of the most traditional in the region and as a means to boost the economy, culture, and tourism in the city; thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of the participating public regarding the Caicó/RN Carnival. To this end, a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative-quantitative approach was conducted, and data were collected through online questionnaires from 196 participants. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s bivariate correlations, and multiple linear regression using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software; additionally, we employed multiple correspondence analysis in R software and interpretive analysis. The results showed that interpersonal connections and factors such as safety, organization, and infrastructure are key to a positive experience, motivation, and loyalty among revelers. Although the event has strong cultural significance and evokes emotional attachment, factors such as food and beverage prices, accessibility, and cleanliness can negatively impact the user experience. Furthermore, participants expressed concern about preserving the essence of the festival, reflected in musical programming that prioritizes a diversity of rhythms and carnival traditions.