Brazilian tourism reaches 8 percent of GDP and aspires to grow, says minister

29-09-23

Brazilian tourism already represents 8 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has the potential to match that of nations such as Portugal and Spain, where the sector represents 18 and 14 percent of GDP respectively, the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, said today.

At the opening of the 50th edition of the Abav Expo, held in Rio de Janeiro, a fair promoted by the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (national Abav) and which is considered the largest event in the Brazilian tourism market and one of the main ones in Latin America, Filho said that for every four tourists arriving in Brazil, the tourism industry generates one job.

For his part, the president of the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of International Tourism (Embratur), Marcelo Freixo, stressed the importance of tourism for the Brazilian economy and highlighted the recovery of the sector after the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are growing, this year we already have extraordinary figures. In the month of August, we have already exceeded 110 percent of all tourism in 2022. We are seeing record revenues from international tourism, the best result in 25 years. Now, we have to get this tourism machinery, which goes from the hotel chain to the bar and restaurant, working well to make the country more competitive in relation to international tourism," said Freixo.

The Embratur president cited the importance of a city like Rio de Janeiro, which he said is a postcard to the world, the gateway to Brazil, and stressed the importance of travel agencies in making the country more competitive.

"They represent a very decisive launching pad so that when international tourists choose their destination, they choose Brazil. Because we are competing with Colombia, Peru, the Caribbean, all the time with a very competitive neighbouring market. Brazil has a lot of attractions, a lot of diversity," he added.