Boom time for Brazilian travel and tourism!

Boom time for Brazilian travel and tourism!

Brazilians are travelling more both within their own country and abroad and as a result they now have a major role in world tourism, according to a new trends report. In terms of outbound travel South Americans are ahead of everyone else in the Americas and they undertook 12% more trips abroad than last year, a new record, according to the ITB World Travel Trends Report compiled by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin.

Brazil, South America’s economic powerhouse, has overtaken everyone else in the Americas and currently leads the market in spending on trips abroad, which increased by 50% in 2010 and by 30% in 2011. The most popular destinations for Brazilians are in Europe and the United States however economic uncertainty is having an effect with 45% saying that the recession would affect their travel plans. Whereas last year 42% said they wanted to travel more, now it is 29% and as a result outbound travel is forecast to increase by around just 2% in 2013 compared with 2012. However, fewer trips abroad are expected to have a positive effect on local tourism.

Brazil is likely to see a huge influx in tourists from abroad for the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. ‘In recent years Brazil, along with India, China and Russia, has been a driving force in global tourism. This trend is now weakening. The unsettled economy will also affect Americans’ travel plans next year. On a more positive note, the overall figures for outbound travel in 2013 are expected to remain stable or to marginally increase,’ said Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel and Logistics, Messe Berlin.

According to Flavio Dino, the president of Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Board, the major global sporting events will help Brazil to double the number of people visiting the country by 2020. A huge amount is being spent ahead of the events including 6.5 billion Brazilian real on improving airports at the 12 host World Cup cities, and a further 16 billion real on public transport, roads, new and renovated hotels, and training for tourism staff.

Quote from Gringos.com : “Being a Brasilian married to an American ( gringo) and visiting Brazil so often with my husband I noticed things have changed a lot in the last 20 years, for the better of course in my opinion. But there is still some areas and cities like Rio that still dangerous if you don’ t know where you are going. But there are areas like Buzios, Parati that are awesome. Parati with their secluded beaches have the tranquility that you are looking for, if that is the case.”

‘The investments into the country’s infrastructure and tourism are a legacy that we cannot begin to measure, as it will establish Brazil as an even greater tourist destination in the years to follow,’ he said, adding that 600,000 overseas visitors are expected for the World Cup alone. ‘Ultimately, the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics provide a unique opportunity for Brazil to showcase all it has to offer, and we are working very hard to make the most of this opportunity to transform and reinforce the country’s image for years to come,’ he explained.