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As currently the 35th most popular global tourist destination, Brazil possesses long stretches of coastline, rainforests, wetlands, diverse biodiversities, adventure, lively cities, carnivals, warm climate and rich cultural traditions (including many of the worlds UNESCO heritage sites) – complemented by an ever-increasing amount of business travellers visiting the country. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Brazil is fourth most visited country in the Americas (after the United States, Mexico and Canada) and the highest in South America.  According to the Instituto Brasileiro de Turismo (Embratur), the revenue generated by tourism in 2008 was over 17% higher than in 2007 (which was previously the best year ever recorded) – although this decreased slightly in 2009.  The increasing number of both domestic and international passengers using Brazil’s airports is illustrated from Infaero data below:

The hotel industry has subsequently grown with tourist sector and, relatively speaking, was able to ride out the effects of the global economic downturn. For the future, the overall expectation remains positive particularly with the arrival high profile events such as the World Cup 2014 and the Olympics 2016.  As of today, some $US 310 has already been invested in the World Cup hosting cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Cuiabá, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo (with further significant infrastructural programmes in place).  It was also recently announced that some R$ 1 billion has also been earmarked to be offered as low interest loans to the hotel industry in the build up to 2014.  According to Marcelo Pedroso of Embratur: “the World Cup host cities will not only gain visibility with the tournament, but will also enable us to take advantage of the event to diversify the destination options in the country.”