Brazil: National tourism performance reinforces recovery perspectives

BRAZIL, RIO DE JANEIRO – Performance data related to different segments of national tourism reinforces the recovery prospects of the sector amid the health crisis of Covid-19. According to the Brazilian Association of Corporate Travel Agencies (ABRACORP), the industry achieved total sales of R$869 million (US$176 million) last March, a figure only 2% lower than that recorded in the same month of 2019 (R$890 million).

The result is attributed to the end of restrictions due to Covid-19, the return of corporate travel, and large in-person events. The sector had already accumulated revenues of R$4.3 billion in 2021, an 18% increase compared to 2020. According to Abracorp studies, which analyzed 11 market sectors, all showed increases in March, especially air services, hotels, and car rentals.

An April survey by the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV) reinforces the sector’s optimism. According to the survey, the branch that closed 2021 with revenues 37% higher than in 2020 (R$19.2 billion), domestic travel continues to lead to tourism recovery. The study shows that the most popular destinations were São Paulo (São Paulo), Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro), Gramado (Rio Grande do Sul), Fortaleza (Ceará), Maceió (Alagoas), Porto de Galinhas (Pernambuco), and Salvador (Bahia) in the first quarter of this year.

Another sign of recovery referred to February and was pointed out by the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services, and Tourism of São Paulo (FecomercioSP). Based on the latest data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), there was a 17.8% increase in national tourism sales (R$13.2 billion) compared to the same month in 2021. The advances came from groups such as lodging and food, with increases of 53.3% and 13.4%, respectively.

FOREIGNERS

Data from Embratur (Brazilian Agency for Tourism International Promotion) also reveal good perspectives regarding the arrival of foreigners in the country. According to the agency, with the return of religious celebrations and Carnaval out of season, among other factors, more than 530,000 international visitors entered Brazil in the first two months of 2022, according to the International Traffic System (STI) of the Federal Police.

“These numbers show that we are on the right path to further strengthen Brazilian tourism recovery. Our country is one of the best in the world regarding the diversity of destinations. We have a lot to offer to visitors from other countries, and we are working to show all our potential,” says Silvio Nascimento, Embratur’s president.

SUPPORT

The Provisional Measure (MP) 1.101, published on February 22, 2022, changed the deadlines of Law 14.046/2020 regarding the rules of cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds in the tourism, events, and culture sectors. According to the MP proposed by the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the customer has until December 31, 2023, to reschedule or use credits to rebate or purchase services.

Another initiative adopted by the Federal Government, through the MTur, to support the sector is the availability of the Responsible Tourism Seal, which indicates compliance with Covid-19 prevention measures. The seal already has 31,235 adhesions in the country and defines protocols for 15 tourism segments, including tour guides. Launched in June 2020, the action placed Brazil among the first ten nations to implement such measures.

With information from the Ministry of Tourism