RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian tourism invoiced R$15.3 billion (US$3 billion) in April, growing 47.7% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Tourism Council of the Federation of Goods Trade, Services, and Tourism survey of the State of São Paulo (FecomercioSP).
There was also a high of 32.2% in the year-to-date. However, in comparison with April 2019, the year before the pandemic, the sector had a drop of 7.5%.
FecomercioSP evaluates that the holidays of Good Friday, Tiradentes, and the Carnaval parades contributed to the growth, considered significant, in April this year and that the month’s variation shows a solid recovery of tourism in Brazil.
In the same period last year, the sector grew 36%. Because of this, the entity adds that “the high is not the result of a weakened base of comparison, due to the effects of the pandemic, but an accurate indication of improvement in the prospects for national tourism.
The largest growth occurred in the air transport activity, with an increase of 159.7% in the annual comparison and billing of R$4.6 billion in the month, returning to the level that was invoiced in April 2019 – already with the value corrected for inflation – as pointed out by FecomercioSP.
The entity cites that companies are expanding the airline network with new routes, and demand has accompanied this movement to explain the result. Another reason pointed out was the increased value of tickets, which is influenced by the high price of aviation kerosene.
“Thus, in addition to the recovery of the market after the pandemic, the high ticket price undoubtedly influenced the segment,” said the entity.
The second-largest growth was observed in accommodation and food services, with a high of 56.1% and revenues of R$4.5 billion. However, compared with the pre-pandemic period, there was a drop of 12.9%.
The cultural, recreational, and sporting activities registered an increase of 21.7%, with sales of R$1.1 billion in the month. The amount was below the period before the pandemic since, in comparison with April 2019, there was a drop of 24.2%.
Ground transportation – including intercity, interstate, and international buses, as well as tourist trains – was up 10.9%, with revenues of R$2.6 billion and an increase of 1.9% compared to the pre-pandemic level. Car rental companies, agencies, and tour operators advanced 2.5%, invoicing R$2.5 million.
Water transportation was the only segment to drop in the month (-2.3%), with revenues of R$42.3 million, the lowest among the activities indicated in the survey. With great evolution during the pandemic, according to FecomercioSP evaluated, the result was 27.3% higher compared to April 2019.
Despite the April results showing a positive context for tourism, the entity’s assessment points out that if inflation in the sector remains high, there may be compromised performance in the second half, reducing the amplitude of expansion.
The president of the Tourism Council of FecomercioSP, Mariana Aldrigui, observed that spending on tourism is discretionary for both businesses and families and that one of the effects of the constant increase in prices is the modification or cancellation of this type of expenditure.
With information from Agência Brasil