Authorities halt cruise ship bookings for COP30 in Belém, prices reaching a maximum of R$ 3,340 per day
The organizers of COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, have unveiled a comprehensive plan to secure sufficient and affordable lodging for attendees in Belém, Brazil. The plan includes a variety of accommodation options, such as cruise ships, private and public housing, and an online booking platform.
In a recent development, two government-funded cruise ships, MSC Seaview and Costa Diadema, will start selling their rooms for COP30, contributing approximately 3,900 cabins that can accommodate up to 6,000 people. The initial plan was to dock these ships at the port of Belém, but due to the need for dredging work on the Guamá River, an alternative location, Outeiro, has been chosen instead.
To facilitate booking, the Brazilian government is set to launch an official online platform for accommodations by late June 2025. This platform will initially offer around 2,500 rooms (approximately 6,000 beds), with numbers increasing as negotiations with hotels and private rental owners progress. However, as of mid-July 2025, the platform exists but is not yet fully activated or functional for attendees.
To address concerns about pricing and market fluctuations, the government has urged hotels in Belém to lower prices to around US$100 per night, similar to rates during the Círio de Nazaré festival. A Conduct Modification Agreement has been proposed to hotel companies to mitigate price-gouging and blocked reservations, addressing what the government sees as the main factors driving prices upward.
Beyond cruise ships and private hotels, the government has arranged for accommodations in adapted schools, Armed Forces facilities, and new hotel constructions, collectively aiming to provide over 26,000 new lodging options. It is worth noting that the accommodation strategy for COP30 is valid for all options on the official COP hosting site.
Initially, the cheapest cabins will be offered to 98 developing or insular countries. The negotiation was mediated by Embratur and involves a government guarantee of around R$ 260 million. The platform for COP30 accommodation, including the cruise ships, is currently exclusive for delegations from participating countries and the UNFCCC. However, it will be opened to the general public after the second block of nations has been accommodated.
In addition to the accommodations, the government has announced the creation of an electronic visa specifically for event participants, valid for 90 days and cannot be extended. The extraordinary secretary of COP30, Valter Correia, stated that the platform's purpose is to prioritize the accommodation of negotiators and then open it to a larger public.
The conference has a commitment to have a carbon-neutral footprint, and will have companies auditing and specific reports to evaluate impact and evaluate the environmental compensation of all emissions. The logistics for the operation of these ships are still being defined in the coming months.
In summary, the COP30 organizers have established a broad network of accommodation options including cruise ships, private and public housing, and are introducing an online booking platform expected to improve accessibility. However, there remains pressure to reduce lodging prices and operationalize the booking platform promptly to meet attendees' needs.
[1] Source: Brazilian Ministry of Tourism [2] Source: Brazilian Ministry of Environment [3] Source: Brazilian Ministry of Education [4] Source: Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- The online booking platform for COP30 accommodations, which initially offers around 2,500 rooms and will eventually include more as negotiations progress, will also offer a variety of options such as lifestyle, technology, sports, and weather updates to help attendees plan their stay in Belém, Brazil.
- In an effort to cater to diverse interests, the Brazilian government has arranged for temporary accommodations in adapted schools, Armed Forces facilities, and new hotel constructions, offering attendants of COP30 the option to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle, explore technology-based facilities, engage in sports activities, and stay updated on the latest weather conditions during their stay.
