Brazil's tourism sector expects to increase its revenues and number of new hires in the first half of 2006. This tendency was demonstrated in the Bulletin of Economic Performance of Tourism, a quarterly publication of the Ministry of Tourism and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV).

The survey included 748 companies in eight tourism-related sectors. 75% of the travel agencies expect their revenues to grow in comparison with the first half of 2005.

In the area of events, 40% hope to earn more, and among tour operators 100% share this expectation. Some - the hotel sector, for example - believe they will need to hire new staff.

According to the Minister of Tourism, Walfrido Mares Guia, some sectors will have to invest in infrastructure in order to meet the demand. Airline services, for example, must expand over 20% in 2006 to keep up with demand, the Minister observed.

Mares Guia also wishes to increase the number of foreign tourists in Brazil, as well as the inflow of foreign currency, which is expected to bring in between US$ 6.5 million and US$ 7 million in 2006.

The influx of dollars grew 18% in 2005, to US$ 3.8 billion. "Just in what passes officially through the hands of the Central Bank, we shall arrive close to US$ 5 billion in 2006," the Minister estimates.

The survey covers travel agencies, event organizers, hotels, tour operators, local tour operators ("receptive tourism"), restaurants, airlines, and theme parks/tourist attractions. The last three sectors were included for the first time in this edition.

ABr

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Pretty Optimistic
written by Guest, February 24, 2006

Those are some pretty optimistic figures but when it comes to wishful thinking Brazil is the king. It's funny how press releases issuing from the Brazilian gov't or Brazilian economic organizations always wax positive about Brazil's unlimited growth but when the numbers come in from respected financial networks and organizations, they are always coming up short. Is that just me or does anyone get that feeling? A good example of this can be found here on Bloomberg today:

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=a1yUy6PDFonY&refer=news_index

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Hiding the truth...again !
written by Guest, February 24, 2006

What is not said and on purpose, anyone can guess why, is that despite the increase of incoming tourists, there is far more brazilian visiting foreign countries !

In simple terms, Brazil "tourism account" is negative to the tune of around US$ 1 billion for 2005 alone.

And this is simply explained by the fact the the sharp increase of the Reais against all the world currencies (not only the US$) AND the booming economy for the wealthy only, make it cheaper than earlier to visit other countries !!!!

But this government just shows the rosy part of the facet not the overall facet !

And dont forget that 2006 is considered as re-election year, not necessarily an election year ! Quite a difference with Lula and his junkies...playing dirty and stinky tricks !

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