Brasília – International tourism in 2008 registered record inflow of dollars into the country, according to the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur). Accumulated revenues totalled 5.7 billion reals (US$ 2.5 billion), with growth of 16.8% in comparison with 2007, when the total was 4.9 billion reals (US$ 2.1 billion). The figures disclosed by the Embratur were supplied by the Central Bank of Brazil (BC) and include official exchanges and credit card expenses.
The Embratur president, Jeanine Pires, explained that around 5 million foreigners entered the country last year, a figure similar to that of 2007. Most of the tourists are from South America, Europe and the United States.
Also according to the Embratur, foreigners have increased their period of stay in Brazil and are spending more. "This is an excellent indicator for our economy and shows the professionalisation of the sector. And this is just totalling the Central Bank figures, whereas another 10% to 15% of funds come into the country having been exchanged abroad. Apart from that, we have had double the global growth, which was 7%, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO)," said Jeanine.
According to the Embratur, expenses of foreign tourists have made the hotel, bar and restaurant and travel agency sectors as well as trade as a whole, more dynamic, contributing to the generation of jobs and the qualification of services provided.
Jeanine said that the inflow of funds has been very important mainly for the Northeast, North and Midwest, which currently receive direct international flights that previously needed to stop in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
"The states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina always receive the greatest number of foreign tourists, but now new regions are entering the international tourist flow. The Northeast, North and Midwest, considered economically needy, are developing and employment is better distributed in the country. Other Brazils are being discovered by foreigners," he pointed out.
The Embratur president said that in 2008 tourism continued heading the list of service exports, but the trade balance result has not yet been disclosed. "Brazil was in the fourth position in 2007 and we hope that the numbers may be repeated. There has been evolution in recent years. In 2006, the auto industry exported more than the tourism sector. In 2007, the figures were inverted and the tourism sector moved ahead. At the end of 2008, the auto industry was greatly affected. With regard to the entry of tourism funds into the country, the results for the end of the year were not affected."
The figures are confirmed by international organisations. According to a study by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Brazil is the eighth country in the world in terms of receipt of international events. Figures disclosed by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) show that the country is the 14th in global tourist activity.
*Translated by Mark Ament
