The resumption of international travel continues to yield good results for Brazil. According to data from the Central Bank, foreign tourists’ spending in the country reached $781 million in January and February, a 63% increase compared to the same two-month period in 2021 ($480 million). In the first two months of this year, according to the Federal Police’s International Traffic System, over 530,000 travelers from other countries came to Brazil.
The Minister of Tourism, Carlos Brito, highlights the federal government’s efforts to enhance the country’s attractiveness. “With the advancement of vaccination and the adoption of health protocols in the tourism sector through the Responsible Tourism Seal, Brazil has established itself as a safe destination,” he states. “And in our government, Embratur has been transformed into an international promotion agency and continues to promote our destinations through advertising campaigns and participation in fairs, for example, helping to spark interest in Brazil and positioning it as a trending destination in the post-pandemic era,” Brito adds.
Among the actions focused on attracting international tourists is the end of visa requirements, since 2019, for tourists from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, thanks to a decree from the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro. The ease of entry into Brazil was even the theme of a recent campaign conducted by Embratur in the United States. Titled “Brazil is visa-free. Come visit!”, the campaign generated $5.7 million in sales to the country, attracting over 16,000 passengers from the U.S. and 17,500 overnight stays sold.
By the end of 2022, the Brazilian Agency for International Promotion of Tourism has planned at least four more advertising campaigns in the United States, Europe, and Latin America, in addition to famtours, press trips, and roadshows. Embratur is also expected to participate in 14 major trade fairs abroad and take advantage of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to organize promotional actions.
Visibility
Data reflecting foreigners’ perceptions of Brazil reinforce the national potential in the post-pandemic period. According to a report from US News & World Report, Brazil is the seventh-best country in the world for solo travelers, out of a total of 78 locations. The same survey, conducted with 17,000 people around the globe, also ranks Brazil as the number one global destination for adventure.
Optimism
The positive outlook for Brazilian tourism is supported by figures from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. According to IBGE, the Tourism Activity Index in the country has accumulated a 29% increase in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2021. Highlights include the air passenger transport, hotels, car rentals, restaurants, and collective road passenger transport sectors.
Source: www.gov.br, by André Martins