COUNTRY PROFILES
ranges from convenient all-inclusive beach resorts and luxury hotels to boutique escapes, B&B options and rustic, romantic beach hut stays. Off the Brazilian coast are the
charming archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and the Atol das Rocas, popular with divers, snorkellers and beach-lovers. Usually reached by flights from Natal or Recife, the islands have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for the high diversity of marine wildlife native to them. Also boasting this prestigious title
are the awesome Iguazu Falls, which lie on the border with Argentina and are larger than their more famous North American counterpart, Niagara. A city destination with a twist is
steamy Manaus, deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Though it might not be among Brazil's most attractive settlements, the majority of visitors embarking on Amazon cruises or stays at jungle lodges are
likely to pass through this intriguing city, built from the profits of the rubber trade. Due to Brazil's size and the long distances between cities and states, it is important to realise that domestic flights will invariably be a feature of itineraries. A flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus, for example, takes around six hours, while even Rio to Salvador takes around two hours. With the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games both on the horizon, it's no surprise that investment in quality tourism infrastructure is widespread, and an estimated 300 new hotels (totalling over 70,000 rooms) will be open by 2014, mainly at the top end of the spectrum, and a new international hotel rating system will be implemented. Embratur will be working flat-out
HIGHLIGHTS Rio de Janeiro Wildlife of the Amazon rainforest Iguazu Falls Carnival – and not just in Rio Beaches of the northeast
to capitalise on this tourism jackpot and unveiled a new tourism campaign immediately after the previous World Cup in South Africa. The ‘Brazil is Calling You – Celebrate Life Here’ promotion is in its early days, but a website with more information is in operation at www.
braziltour.com/worldcup. Embratur estimates that the campaign will reach some 400 million people across 100 countries. Brazil is blessed with good air
connections to the UK and Europe. British Airways and TAM both operate direct flights from London
TOURISM TALK
With Karem Baena Basulto, product intelligence manager for Embratur, the Brazilian tourist boad
SAMPLE PACKAGE Sunvil Traveller's 13-day Diverse Brazil itinerary includes three nights in Rio de Janeiro, two nights at the Iguazu Falls, three nights in the Pantanal and four nights in Parati, plus private tours in Rio and guided excursions in the Pantanal.
to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, with the latter boasting an extensive Brazilian network. Air France operates direct flights
from Paris to both Rio and Sao Paulo, while partner airline KLM relaunched services from Amsterdam to Rio in November 2011. Lufthansa also added flights from Frankfurt to Rio last autumn. TAP Portugal launched a non-stop
service from Lisbon to Porto Alegre last summer, and already operates flights to Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, Salvador, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio and Sao Paulo. Iberia flies from Madrid to Rio and
Sao Paulo and has recently launched a triangular service to Brazil’s northeast coast, flying between Madrid, Fortaleza and Recife. Air Europa has increased its service to Salvador Bahia to year-round.
The cost of hotel accommodation and travel-related services are on the rise in Brazil – what is Embratur doing to counter this? "We are focussing instead on added value experiences in order to meet aggressive new visitor number targets. Our new goal is to attract 10 million visitors a year by 2020. Many travellers have Brazil on their radar at the moment and they are looking for different experiences. This is what we are working on with tour operators and the trade."
The FIFA World Cup takes place across Brazil in 2014, so presumably Embratur will be aiming to make the most of this? "The 12 World Cup host cities will be the focus for promotion over the next few years, but the whole country will get an upgrade. New accommodation supply is on track and the government is providing incentives for investors and hoteliers. Brazil and football go hand in hand, so having the World Cup here is going to be a very special experience and I think travellers appreciate that. We hope fans follow their teams around the country so that all of Brazil benefits."
Footprint Travel Guides have been producing books for independent travellers since the early 1920’s and are one of the most respected brands in travel publishing. Their guides have been voted as the most informative guides to Latin America two years running by LATA and their 40 current guidebooks offer extensive insight into this amazing continent.
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www.footprinttravelguides.com and quote “longhaul” in the coupon code at checkout to redeem. 29/09/2011 12:51:43
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