São Paulo – The pyramids and the history of the Pharaohs make Egypt famous and attractive to Brazilians. However, when looking at the map of the Arab world in a broader way, the possibilities of visiting other destinations and living their own adventures have been attracting the attention of a greater number of Brazilian tourists.
Places like Dubai, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia and Morocco are already not so far from the travel plans of tourists from Brazil. Especially after the start of operations of airline Emirates in Brazil, in October 2007, Dubai became the main focus of Brazilians in the Arab world.
The company does not reveal how many passengers it transports each year between São Paulo and Dubai, but explains that its daily flights leave the airport in São Paulo with 80% occupation.
“Dubai is of great importance. It is in a very delicate area and has a government with very open mentality,” stated Márcia Sztajn, Exotic Destinations manager at travel operator Queensberry.
The company is the main operator in the country in number of passengers travelling to the emirate. She also operates trips to other Arab countries, like Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. In 2009, the company took around 1,500 passengers to these destinations.
Márcia considers Dubai a “phenomenon”, and says that Brazilians are attracted due to the combination of modernity with excellent hotel infrastructure, good food and buying opportunities.
Another country that is entering the national tourism route is Tunisia. According to Helena Romano, the director general at Destino Tunísia travel agency, the country in North Africa calls attention of Brazilians due to its exoticism.
“In general, my public has already travelled to Europe and the United States, and is now seeking something different. Among other things, we promote a night in the desert at a campsite, so it is a magnificent differential,” explained the businesswoman, who mostly organises group trips to the Arab country.
According to Helena, Tunisia also has an excellent hotel and highway structure. She also pointed out the good food and receptiveness of locals as prominent factors for Tunisian tourism. Those interested in visiting the country may visit the main cities, as well as the Sahara desert, in an 11 night package.
Support to agents
According to Adel Auada, who is responsible for the Tourism Committee at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, all travel agencies in the country have access to packages with destinations in the Arab countries, either through national or European operators.
“The Arab Brazilian Chamber wants to support professional organisations that operate in trade, like operators, agencies and, when approached, the press, in terms of contacts and information,” said Auada.
According to him, apart from the destinations already mentioned, countries like Syria and Lebanon are also greatly sought destinations, but by Arab descendants in Brazil, whereas Palestine is visited as part of the route of the Holy Land.
Auada also explains that, in the long term, the objective of the committee, which was established six months ago, is to cause more Arab countries to be included in the route of Brazilians. One of the targets is Algeria, which attracts architecture and drawing students due to the works that Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer left in the country, as well as Saudi Arabia, which has also been attracting the attention of non-Muslim tourists.
*Translated by Mark Ament
