From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – Foreign tourists spent US$ 326 million in Brazil in July, which represented an increase in 9.63% in relation to the same month last year, according to information released by the Central Bank. From January to July, spending reached US$ 2.52 billion, an increase in 16.43% in comparison to the first seven months in 2005.
On the other hand, Brazilians spent US$ 538 million abroad in July, which caused a deficit of US$ 212 million in relation to the same month in 2005. During the first seven months of the year, Brazilians spent US$ 3.2 billion, which generated a deficit of US$ 681 million in comparison to the same period last year.
According to the director of studies and research at the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur), José Francisco de Salles Lopes, up to the end of the year spending by foreign tourists in the country should be in between US$ 4.4 billion and US$ 4.5 billion, which will be a new record.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
