The increase in airfare prices, especially last-minute purchases, has led more Brazilians to choose road transportation as a more affordable and economical alternative. With the approach of Carnival, DeÔnibus, one of the largest road travel marketplaces in the country, has already seen a significant rise in demand and observed a 30% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2024. “Road transportation has been the best option for those looking to travel economically and comfortably. We expect to serve a record number of passengers this season. We believe sales will increase by around 70% compared to Carnival in 2024,” says Luana Filomeno, Head of Marketing and Communication at DeÔnibus.
In an effort to attract even more passengers and encourage early purchases for Carnival, DeÔnibus has launched a promotional campaign offering discounts to existing marketplace customers for round-trip tickets. Purchases made on the website guarantee a 10% discount on the return ticket, while app purchases offer a 15% discount under the same conditions. This strategy aims to foster loyalty and encourage early bookings, providing travelers with better prices and better-located seats.
The road transportation sector continues to experience strong growth in Brazil, and according to Luana Filomeno, the startup projects significant expansion in 2025. “For this year’s Carnival pre-season, compared to the same period in 2024, we’ve already recorded a 30% increase in sales and a 40% increase in revenue, along with a 15% rise in the average ticket price,” adds Filomeno. With this early momentum, DeÔnibus strengthens its expectation of achieving exponential growth throughout the year, aiming to expand its market share and further solidify its brand in the industry.
The expansion in the average ticket price is an extremely relevant aspect for the startup, which has already seen a 15% growth just in the 2025 Carnival pre-season compared to the same period last year. This increase reflects higher demand for more comfortable seats, such as semi-sleeper, sleeper, and sleeper-bed options. “Brazilian tourists are prioritizing quality and comfort when traveling. We’ve seen an increase in the choice of premium categories, showing that passengers value a good onboard experience. The data not only reflects the recovery of domestic tourism but also the strengthening of road travel culture as a practical and economical option for passengers across Brazil. Among the most sought-after destinations for the February holiday are the following states: Rio de Janeiro (RJ), São Paulo (SP), and Florianópolis (SC), highlighting strong demand for major urban centers and tourist destinations,” adds the Head of Marketing and Communication at DeÔnibus.
