Recent figures from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reveal an uptick in tourism activity in Bahia, which exceeded the national average in May.
Specifically, the tourism inflow to Bahian cities rose by 13.6% in May compared to the same month in 2022, surpassing the national increase of 8.6%.
Analysts attribute this growth to economic dynamics, particularly within sectors such as air and road transport, car rental, food, and travel agencies.
According to the research, tourism in Bahia maintained a steady growth rate of 12% from January to May 2023, again exceeding the national increase of 8.4% in the same period.
Data from the State Tourism Secretariat (Setur-BA) supports these findings, highlighting that Bahia welcomed over 1.5 million visitors during São João.
The influx of passengers at Bahia’s primary airports rose by 11.8% in comparison to the previous year.
Simultaneously, occupancy rates in Salvador’s hotel industry saw a 12% increase.
In the first half of 2023, passenger traffic at Bahia’s airports outpaced all other Northeastern regions, recording 4.9 million travelers.
Salvador airport emerged as the region’s leading entry point for foreign visitors, with an 83% increase in international passengers compared to the same period in 2022.
The head of Setur-BA, Maurício Bacelar, emphasized the positive impact of these developments on Bahian tourism.
He stressed the importance of a concerted effort from all stakeholders, led by the State Government, in the success of Bahian tourism.
The focus on attracting more international visitors is a key part of this strategy, with a view to further enhance Bahian destinations.