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Brazil expects to receive 5.6 million tourists this year. The forecast was made yesterday, by the Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia, based on the increase in arrivals that took place in the airports during the month of January.
In the first month of the year an increase by 29.3% was registered in domestic landings and by 28.3% in the international landings. Last year 4.8 million foreigners visited Brazil with leisure purposes.
According to the Minister, this reveals two situations; both Brazilians are travelling more around the country, due to the increase in employment and income, as Brazil has now a better image in foreign lands.
The Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur) is carrying out a series of activities abroad to promote the tourist attractions in the country.
The information released is part of the Report for Tourism Economic Performance, research carried out in a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (research facility part of the Getúlio Vargas University).
Representatives from 911 companies, among tourism operators, agencies, hotels, restaurants, and event and excursion organization companies, were interviewed.
The study showed that the sector had a turnover of US$ 876.2 million last year, and generated 32,503 new jobs.
"The businessmen believe the year of 2005 will be even better than 2004, that tourism will grow on average 10%, will generate more employment opportunities, more investments and revenues," said Mares Guia.
According to the report, amongst the tourism operators, 79% believe there will be a 21% increase in sales in the first half of this year.
Almost all of them, 99%, believe that this year there will be an increase in revenues in comparison to last year. In 2004, there had already been an increase in the tourist flow in relation to 2003. The international landings increased 14%.
Minister Mares Guia believes the country also has the potential to increase the internal tourist flow. So much that the aim is to make the 36.5 million domestic landings that took place in the airports in 2004 jump to 44 million this year and to 65 million by 2007.
Translated by Silvia Lindsey
Agência Brasil
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