Brazil's tourism sector hopeful of funding boost from share of sports bets
Harry KembleBrazil’s tourism industry could receive a massive funding boost if members of the country’s senate vote through a new law next week.
If the bill is passed, the Brazilian Tourist Board will receive 1% of all sports bets made in the country.
It comes as the Brazil Tourist Board finalises its 2024 marketing budget, but the vote will ultimately decide how much money is invested in the sector in future.
Jaqueline Gil, the tourist board’s international marketing, business and sustainability director, told TTG@WTM: “At the moment, we’re reorganising our budget structure. We’re looking to increase it, but I cannot tell you how much it will increase. It’s too early.
“We’re currently waiting for a vote in Congress. It’s a new law and will be voted by the senate next week. It’s never happened before.”
Gil explained how the Brazilian Tourist Board wanted to be “more assertive” with its marketing spend overseas, regardless of next week’s vote.
“The budget will be split between B2C and B2B,” she said, adding: “We need to invest more assertively to increase the number of tourists who stay longer and get to know more experiences and spend more to help local communities.”
When asked how the Brazil Tourist Board would distribute the extra cash, Gil said: “We’re really excited to get that confirmation. The main investment we want to do is make sustainability the main focus of Brazil’s tourism business.
“We understand sustainability is bound side-by-side with the tourism industry.”
Gil revealed the country expected to hit pre-pandemic visitor levels this year, and was on track to surpass record numbers in 2024.
“We’re expecting six million-plus international visitors,” she said. “The record is is 6.7 million – we should be reaching historic high numbers this year. And next year, we should be getting 7.1 million.”
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