Isaura Daniel*
isaura.daniel@anba.com.br
São Paulo – Around 20,000 people visited the Brazilian stand at Arabian Travel Market, a tourism fair that took place last week in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. According to the promotional event and fair manager at the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur), Maria Katavatis, the Brazilian space was greatly sought by fair visitors. The fair was turned to tourism operators.
According to Maria, travel agencies in the Arab world are awaiting entry into operation of the Emirates flight, from Dubai to São Paulo, to include Brazil in their packages. The flight, which will start operating at the end of the month of October this year, should increase the number of Arabs coming to Brazil. The greatest interest of the Arabs in Brazil, according to the information sought at the fair, is regarding ecotourism and business tourism, stated Maria.
A study by the Embratur in previous years had already showed these two items as the greatest reasons for Arabs to visit Brazil. "They like exotic, different things," stated Maria, recalling that the Arabs already have sun and beaches in their own countries. Even so, Rio de Janeiro also generates interest, says the manager. The country still needs greater promotion in the region as a tourist destination, stated Maria.
Apart from Embratur, companies in the tourism sector also participated in the Brazilian stand at the fair. The Embratur representatives also participated in workshop Emirates Holiday, promoted by the Arab airline, between April 27 and 29. Arabian Travel Market took place from May 01 to 04.
The fact that the launch of the Dubai-São Paulo flight is forecasted for the near future, according to Maria, called attention to Brazil at the activities in the Emirates. According to her, not only did tourism operators and tourists from the Emirates visit the Brazilian stand, but there were also visitors from all the Arab countries participating in the event. Visitors from the Emirates, however, were the largest number.
According to figures supplied during the fair and published in Arab newspaper Khaleej Times, 45% of the tourists who visit the Middle East do it on business. Forecasts show that over the next ten years, the number of business tourists who visit the region may double. A series of hotels and tourist enterprises are being built in the Arab world to receive foreigners.
*Translated by Mark Ament
