São Paulo – From January to November this year, there were 8.26 million international arrivals in Brazil. The figure is 14.66% higher than in the same period of 2010, when 7.21 million people arrived in the country’s airports. The number of arrivals in 2011 has already exceeded the figure for the whole of last year, which was 7.9 million.
“These figures are all-time highs in the historical series, initiated in 2000. As a result of the figures, we believe we will end the year at 9 million international arrivals,” said Flávio Dino, the president of Embratur (the Brazilian Tourism Institute), in a statement issued by the organization.
According to the same statement, Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero) figures indicate that there were 728,168 arrivals in November, representing a 7.63% increase over November 2010 (676,544). The number of international arrivals includes foreign tourists and Brazilians returning from foreign trips.
“This was the best year for tourism ever: we have grown above the world average, we met the goals set in our strategic plan, and we have consolidated an outstanding position within our economy. We will receive over 5.4 million tourists, and US$ 6.4 billion in revenues,” said Dino.
The Embratur president ascribed the favourable performance to the efforts of tourism industry businessmen and professionals, coupled with programs implemented by the federal, state and municipal governments, which are investing more and more in infrastructure and tourism promotion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
