Brazil / Tourism - ADIT Brasil - Association for Real Estate and Tourism Development of Brazil

Brazil / Tourism

Tourism is one of the highest growth activities in Brazil. In recent years, the government has started paying attention to the industry potential, setting development targets and increasing investment. Nowadays, this sector is going through a massive transformation causing an impact on the national economy. Besides natural beauty, cultural diversity and hospitality, improvements to Brazilian infrastructure have made it one of the best tourist destinations in the world.

Brazilian tourism is growing substantially and the country has explosive potential because of the variety of natural and cultural attractions.
The options that offer both natural beauty and rich historical expression and culture are creating additional interest in the country.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism (Mtur), Brazil received 5 million foreign tourists in 2006, and registered 46,345,828 passengers on all domestic flights.
Foreign currency revenues from tourism in 2006 reached $4.3 billion ( 11.78% up on the $ 3.9 billion registered in 2005, which had been a record-breaking figure since surveys began in 1969).
As a result of the growing flow of investors and foreign tourists towards Brazil, the Federal Government is forecasting continued investment in the tourism sector, by building airports, Highways, improving basic sanitation, training labor, investing in energy and waste treatment.
When it comes to events, Brazil is the seventh worldwide in terms of number of international shows. In 2006, it welcomed 207 international events taking the seventh place on the ICCA ( International Congress and Convention Association ) ranking. The ICCA is the leading international association for the industry events.
Brazil received 804 regular international flights a week, operated by 38 airlines from 30 countries.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the number of tourism-related jobs is set to rise more than 6% throughout Brazil in the coming years. The industry already employs more than 2 million people nationwide.
In recent years, the number of foreign tourists has risen 70%.
Of the 150 new developments being made in Brazil, according to data from the Exame Tourism Annual, around 20% are funded by international investors. According to data research for publication, in the next 3 years, Portuguese companies are set to invest about RS$ 2.2 billion in new tourism projects in Brazil – almost 100% of this money will be invested in the Northeast. The biggest investors are the Portuguese, followed by the Spanish, who intend to invest RS$ 1.3 billion by 2010.
According to the World Tourism Organization ( WTO ), while the number of international travelers grew on average 50% worldwide, between 1995 and 2005, the increase over the same period in Brazil was 170%.