FEATURE BRAZIL
Janeiro. Lazing on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, taking in the spectacular landmarks of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ Redeemer statue, and sampling the nightlife in lively spots such as Lapa and Santa Teresa are all experiences that should be high on visitors’ check-lists. The mighty Iguazu Falls, on Brazil’s south-western border with Argentina, are typically the second stop on first- time itineraries – the series of falls culminate at the 80-metre high, 150- metre wide Devil’s Throat. Clients with a passion for wildlife are
likely to have the Amazon on their wish list – it is the largest, densest and most biologically diverse rainforest on earth. Manaus, a jungle city which developed with the rise of the rubber industry, is the gateway to the region and lodge- based stays and river cruises in the area are offered by many operators. The Pantanal, meanwhile, is growing its reputation as a wildlife destination and now appears in the
brochures of all Latin America specialists. Close to the border with Bolivia and Paraguay, it is one of the world’s largest wetlands and has two distinct seasons. The wet
season, when access is
restricted, is December to March, while the onset of the
dry season, from May to August, is the best time to experience the rich birdlife and spot caiman, capybara, giant otters, tapirs and, occasionally, the elusive jaguar. The city of Salvador is a popular
destination, both for its historic charms and colonial architecture of the Pelourinho old town, but also as a gateway to the beaches of Bahia state. Still further north, Recife and Natal are popular beach break destinations, while the Fernando de Noronha archipelago – the majority of which is a national
marine park – has beautiful beaches and diving. Coastal destinations closer to Rio include Buzios and Paraty,
Repeat visitors should visit the country’s capital Brasilia, with its striking modern architecture, or bustling Sao Paulo, fast cutting itself a name in the world of fashion and gastronomy.
Alternative inland destinations include the state of Minas Gerais, with its pretty colonial towns and, in the north, the
Chapada Diamantina region for its landscapes of caves, rocky outcrops and river systems.
What’s New The UK-based Visit Brazil
Travel Association (VBRATA) has launched an online training
SLH_Salvador_mar12e.pdf 1 13/03/12 11:35
programme for UK travel agents, www.
brazilonlinetraining.com. It has sections on carnival, food, culture and the World Cup and Olympics. Modules on individual states will be added throughout the year. The rising boutique hotel sector has
been recognised by Embratur with the addition of a ‘boutique’ category to the Brazil Accommodation Rating System. “We are seeing a growing appetite for boutique hotels in Brazil and several cities are competing to be the new luxury boutique hot spot,” says Embratur’s Flavio Dino. Research suggests that Florianopolis in Santa Catarina, Fernando de Noronha and Trancoso in Bahia are the destinations spearheading a rise in boutique hotels. KLM is adding a fourth weekly flight
from Amsterdam to Rio from the end of October. It also flies to Sao Paulo.
Tourism Talk EMBRATUR (BRAZILIAN TOURIST BOARD) “A new EBT will be established in London during the second half of 2012. We will re-engage with the UK travel trade and continue to be a source of information and advice about selling and visiting Brazil. “We saw a 75% increase in UK tourists and are looking to support and encourage this trend. “The level of service and quality offered in Brazil has continued to
Selling Tip
The capital, Brasilia, with its striking architecture, is a good choice for second-time visitors
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