Brazil Package Holidays

Manaus – a City of Contrasts

2011-02-07T03:21:00.001-08:00

Words like ‘jungle’, ‘waterfalls’ and ‘beaches’ are not generally ones you would associate with a big city of any description. Yet when you read more about Manaus, a city located towards the northern end of Brazil, you will find out that it packs in a lot more than you might imagine for the average city.

This is a big city with a history stretching back more than three hundred years. It has officially been a city for around half that time. It also has the distinct advantage of being adjacent to the rain forest. This means that anyone staying here will have the benefit of being able to explore the rain forest and all its wonders as well as the city of Manaus.

If we were to say that Manaus is an unusual city, we would only be scraping the surface of what you will find here. It is not that unusual for a city to have one or more beaches, but this one only has beaches you can visit for part of the year. This is not due to any man made restrictions or rules; rather it is due to the power of nature to render the beaches nonexistent for part of the year.

August sees the water level reducing and starting to reveal the beaches as a result. Come December, the level goes back up and they disappear. So if you want to see them you have to time it just right to make the most of it. During the rest of the time you can grab a boat to traverse the surroundings and see them in a very different light.

While Manaus is surrounded by the rain forest and indeed by other areas worth visiting, it is worthwhile staying in the city itself as well. It is dotted by various parks and other attractions worth seeing. The Municipal Park of Mindu is one such example – this contains several different eco-systems and plenty of things worth looking at.

There is no doubt that Manaus is something of an unusual city. But it is unusual in the very best of ways.

Joinville – a German Flavour in Brazil

2011-01-07T02:57:00.001-08:00

When you go and visit somewhere like Brazil, you would expect everything to be rather, well, Brazilian. But there is a corner of the country where you would be forgiven for sensing a German influence, and that corner is Joinville.

While it may sound more like a twee American town hailing from a Hollywood movie, Joinville is actually a charming and quite delightful Brazilian town. A vast proportion of its inhabitants however are German, and that has led to a fascinating difference between Joinville and many other areas in the country.

Your arrival in Joinville will reveal the extent of the German influence here, gleaned from the heritage of many of those who live here and call it home. You will spot German styled houses in the streets, and German influenced dishes on menus that you stop and glance at while in search of some lunch or dinner. This is a real experience that is definitely not to be missed. Furthermore since the people are on the whole extremely friendly and welcoming, you can see that you would be hard pushed to think of a reason not to pay Joinville a visit.

Make no mistake though – this is decidedly an industrial city. The good thing is that this doesn’t spoil the view. The city is very neat and tidy, as is the case with many other cities and locations in Germany itself. This pride in their surroundings is evident from the moment you arrive in Joinville, and it makes your stay here very pleasant indeed.

As you would expect of many cities around the world, there are some amazing views to be had here, especially at night. The whole city is lit up and looks quite inviting, and very different in many ways from how it looks during the day.

There may be no main tourist attractions here, but one thing is certain – the whole city is an attraction and a venue worth seeing. Every aspect of the German influenced infrastructure is worth looking at in more detail. It will certainly show you that some parts of Brazil are very different from what you would expect.

Could Aracaju Hold The Best Brazilian Holiday You Want?

2010-12-08T08:36:00.001-08:00

Most people who think about Brazil and the places it holds within it will think about various well known locations such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This is understandable because they are the two biggest cities in the country. But coming in at number thirty five on the list of the biggest cities there is a city called Aracaju. Just because it cannot rank any higher on that list, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting.

So what can we discover from this city? Would it be worth booking a Brazilian holiday to that destination or is it somewhere you would just want to pop into?

Well it is easy enough to reach since it has an international airport there. If you fly into another Brazilian city you can easily connect with Aracaju from there anyway. In addition to this you have the temptation of visiting some of Aracaju’s many beaches – many of which are deemed to be among the nicest in the country. They are certainly hard to resist as they are largely unspoiled and so they can provide you with a good place to stay for your holiday in Brazil.

Surprisingly enough Aracaju is not one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil. You might be tempted to think that it has largely been undiscovered but it could also be that it has a little less to offer than some other destinations such as Rio for instance. However if you are staying for a week or so you would probably be just as happy here, thanks to the relaxing beaches that are on offer.

You can also enjoy some shopping here, and indeed the main shopping area tends to be quite laid back. You will also find an oceanarium and also some museums, so you can learn more about the city and about the rest of Brazil as well.

Aracaju may not be the first city you come across when it comes to finding out more about where to go in Brazil. But in reality it could be the last – because you might decide to stay there.

Barra Grande in Brazil

2010-11-09T02:09:00.000-08:00

True beach holidays may not be the first thing on your mind when you are thinking about visiting Brazil. But you would be surprised at just how good they can be – provided, of course, you pick the right area to visit.

Take Barra Grande for example. This may not be the easiest place in Brazil to get to, but the trip is worth it. You might be wondering why it isn’t easy to get to; well, let’s just say hiring a car would be a bad idea. A ride in a small plane or a boat trip would be far better, and it is the way that most people arrive in Barra Grande. Remote is one word to describe this place – charming is another. So is delightful, and peaceful should not be left out either.

Clearly Barra Grande is the kind of place to come to in Brazil if you want to have a relaxing holiday far away from the big cities. There are beaches here too – beautiful beaches that have amazing stretches of sands on which you can lie back, relax and watch the waves coming onto the beach. It is said that some people came for a holiday and ended up never going home. Even if you don’t turn out to be one of that group, you will see why they did it. Barra Grande is more than just charming; it is seductive and it will captivate you with its many charms.

To think that Barra Grande is just an out of the way beach would be to make a mistake though. Every corner you turn here provides you with something else to wonder at and appreciate. Since there are so few cars you will be glad you picked the area for a quiet and relaxing time. But the houses and other buildings are charming to look at and the clear as can be waters will beg you to go swimming as well.

There are many surprises to find in Barra Grande. Most of them can be discovered on your own – and you’ll love every minute of doing so.

Visit The Capital Of Happiness

2010-10-08T03:10:00.001-07:00

The capital of Brazil since the Sixties may be Brasilia, but it is not the place that is known as the Capital of Happiness. This accolade unofficially goes to Salvador, and it is just one of the reasons why you should take time out of a Brazilian holiday to go there. It has plenty to offer and if you like lively and exciting cities, it could well appeal to you in lots of different ways.

You may also see it referred to as Bahia, as it used to be known by this name. Even now Bahia is sometimes combined with Salvador to give it the name of Salvador da Bahia.

Salvador sits on the eastern coast of Brazil and the city itself is split into two distinct sections. This is thanks to the geography of the area, and it has created the Upper Town and the Lower Town. They were given these names as one is quite literally higher than the other; there is even a lift that goes between the two.

While you are holidaying in Salvador you should make the time to go and see the historic centre of the city. This has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status, thanks to its connections with the past and the divine surroundings you will find yourself in. It is known locally as the Pelourinho. The city began life over five hundred years ago and there are plenty of signs and buildings that bring to life how things would have been in centuries gone by.

The great thing about visiting this historic part of the city is that you cannot fail to spot something new wherever you go. Every area and every street has a new surprise to share with you, so wear some comfortable walking shoes and make sure you have plenty of time on your hands to enjoy there. Salvador is not a city you should visit when you don’t have much time to spare, because it is an amazing city with lots to offer.

Where will you head to first – the Upper Town, the Lower Town or straight to the Pelourinho?

Exploring Sao Paulo

2010-09-09T06:53:00.001-07:00

When you think of Brazil the chances are several places immediately come to mind. For instance there is Rio de Janeiro and its Statue of Christ the Redeemer. Another place you will no doubt think about is Sao Paulo.

This is a major city and no visit to Brazil would be complete without discovering everything this city has to offer. The first thing to bear in mind before you see the city for yourself is the fact that it is huge. Ten million people live here and that doesn’t even take into account the number of people who work in Sao Paulo or visit it while in Brazil either. If you thought some other world cities were big, you will still be amazed at the size of Sao Paulo.

But what can you expect from the city? Well one of the most notable things about it is that the diversity of cultures here is huge. This has had the wonderful by product of allowing lots of different experiences and culinary delights to creep into all areas of the city. If you love your food you’ll love Sao Paulo – you can try something completely different at every meal time, let alone every day.

There are some notable venues worth visiting too while you are there. One good place to go to give you an idea of how big Sao Paulo is would be the Banespa Building. This was modelled on the Empire State Building and you can go up to the observation deck to look out over Sao Paulo and marvel at its size.

Elsewhere there are plenty of shopping malls dotted all over the city, giving you the chance to go shopping and see what you can find to take home with you. Perhaps some souvenirs of your time in the city would be ideal?

Ibirapuera Park is also worth a look, as it provides a large open green space to enjoy and relax in when you need a break from the main part of the city. This is just touching the surface of what Sao Paulo has to show you though, so be prepared to explore it for yourself.

Visiting The Sugar Loaf Mountain

2010-08-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

A trip up a mountain named after sugar loaf may sound a little unlikely on first consideration. But you can indeed do this in Brazil if you visit Rio de Janeiro.

The Sugar Loaf title sounds like a nickname. But while it was given to the mountain because of its distinctive appearance, it is more than just a nickname. It may be called Pao de Acucar in Portuguese, but this is still called the Sugar Loaf Mountain in English.

Over the years it has actually been called by several different names, many of them ironically similar to each other. But its current name seems to have stuck, thankfully.

Whatever you might want to call it yourself, you can ascend it when you visit Rio during your time in Brazil. You don’t have to do this on foot though – the trip to the summit can easily and comfortably be made by taking two separate cable cars. The first one takes you about a third of the way up, and the second one covers nearly twice that distance to take you the remainder of the way.

It’s no wonder that the Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of the most popular venues for tourists to visit in Rio. The views you can get from the top are nothing short of amazing, and you will be glad you took the time to make the trip. Indeed you won’t want to do it on foot at all, although there is a tough path to the top that very few people try out. Most people will settle for the cable car, since this is the easiest and best way to do it.

The one thing you should have with you is a camera, because you won’t want to return down to the bottom of the mountain without photographic evidence of the sensational views from the top. You will be amazed just how far you can see, and the famous Copacabana Beach is just one of the sights available.

In short, if you visit Rio and you don’t head up this particular mountain, you will be all the poorer for it.

Does The Amazon Theatre Take Your Fancy?

2010-07-12T04:24:00.001-07:00

If you had been on holiday in a city called Manaus in Brazil up until a few years ago, the thought of going to the opera would not have been worth taking any further. Even though an opera house has been in the city since 1897, it has only recently started to attract a wider audience to regular operas taking place there.

The theatre itself is called the Amazon Theatre. This is very appropriate since it resides in the city of Manaus – which is the capital city of the state of Amazonas. The theatre has been treated to several restorations over the years since it first opened, and the results are quite spectacular. In particular the two or three years culminating in the year 1990 saw a careful and attentive restoration. This resulted in many hundreds of red velvet seats being made available for the people coming to see what the theatre has to offer.

We have the governor of the state of Amazonas to thank for the recent revival in opera in this theatre. After all it is an unlikely place for such activities to take place. But the governor has poured a large amount of money into the theatre, apparently not wanting such a wonderful structure to go to waste. The effort seems to have been worth it – many people now travel to the area and see an opera while they are there.

The theatre itself is worth seeing from the exterior as well as the interior. The building soars up into the sky and demands to be noticed, while the lighting at night also draws the eye in.

If you are lucky enough to see an opera in the Amazon Theatre, you might be forgiven for forgetting exactly where you are. For the theatre, situated as it is in Manaus, is right smack bang in the middle of the Amazon region itself. Can you imagine any more unlikely place to sit and enjoy the cream of operatic talent?

We can’t – but then any holiday in Brazil is full of surprises and amazing sights and sounds.

Visiting The Wetlands Of Pantanal

2010-06-10T03:07:00.001-07:00

Most countries have some more unusual attractions that are worth visiting. In Brazil we must surely include the Pantanal on that list. It holds the record for being the largest area of wetland in the entire world, and it is tropical in nature, which should give you some idea of the kind of climate you should expect.

The Pantanal literally means ‘large swamp’ in Portuguese, and this is a good description of the area. There are countless types of wildlife and fish here, so if you happen to be interested in this kind of thing you will love every inch of these wetlands. There is certainly a lot here worth exploring.

To give you some idea of how big these wetlands are, think of the Everglades in Florida and then multiply that area around ten times. We did say they were big and we meant it!

You might also be surprised at the wide variety of animals there are here. Many previous visitors to the area say that you don’t have much trouble seeing them either. They seem to be quite happy to enjoy the area and share it with those tourists who often come to pay it a visit. Provided you are respectful of the surroundings you are in, you will be rewarded by plenty of sensational sights and sounds to see.

You can book a tour of the Pantanal if you wish, and indeed this is by far the best way to see it. Not only will you be able to rely on a guide to help you see all the best bits, you will also stay safe and enjoy the experience without worrying too much about where you are and the animals surrounding you.

Tours take place on horseback but you can also get around by other means as well. 4x4s are one of the preferred methods, given the nature of the landscape you will be travelling through.

This part of Brazil sits in direct contrast to the built up cities you will also find in the country. Make sure you visit both to really experience all that Brazil has to offer.

Exploring The Capital Of Brazil

2010-05-12T03:04:00.001-07:00

The capital of any country can tell you a lot about the country as a whole. But Brasilia is possibly one of the most interesting cities in the whole world – mainly because it is so young.

You might be surprised to learn that the city was only officially inaugurated in 1960 – some fifty years ago. Previously the capital was Rio de Janeiro, and indeed some people still believe this to be the case.

But when you actually visit Brasilia for yourself you will see how modern and eye catching the whole place is. The entire city is one of design – and that design was created over a short period of time. Thus you will see a very different city from any other you may have visited. The newness of the city stares out at you from every angle, and while this is good in some respects it is not so good in others. But you should see it for yourself to see what works and what doesn’t in this instance.

One thing you won’t see much of in Brasilia is historic sites. The half century age of the city puts paid to this. But don’t let that fool you, as there are plenty of sights to see, such as the Palacio da Alvorada. This is where the President of Brazil resides, and it is a very modern building indeed. In fact it is a shining example of how thoroughly modern Brasilia is, and for that reason alone it is a big contrast to many other world cities.

Perhaps surprisingly for some, Brasilia is also known as a World Heritage Site. This is the kind of official recognition that is normally given to ancient sites and other such notable areas. So for it to be awarded to a city that is barely half a century old is indicative of how successful the city has been.

It is the innovative sense of Brasilia that has earned it this award. And it has also earned it the respect and amazement of everyone who visits it whilst holidaying in Brazil. What will you think of it?

A Trip To Fantasy Island

2010-04-12T04:28:00.001-07:00

The words ‘Fantasy Island’ and ‘Brazil’ do not initially seem to fit together like a hand and a glove. But there is no doubt that Fernando de Noronha can claim both of these titles, for this archipelago is a delightful place to stay should you hanker after a trip to Brazil at any point.

It seems hard to believe today as you wander along the sandy beaches and take a dip in the sea. But this island paradise was used as a prison at one point, and indeed some of the vegetation you see here is largely in place because of that population.

The island of Fernando de Noronha used to be covered in trees. But those in charge of the prisons were so worried that prisoners might escape and look for wood to use in making a raft, they got rid of them all. Now you will not see many trees on the island.

While this mass destruction of trees took place back in the 19th century, here in today’s more enlightened 21st century the island is very much an ecological safe haven. This alone makes it a delight to visit, because you don’t have that feeling that it will be taken over and ruined at any moment by tourism.

The whole appearance of this island is one of nature at her best. You cannot fail to notice the natural and relaxed appearance of the island. And even though tourists do come here they don’t swarm all over the place and take away its natural beauty. Be sure to walk along the beaches here and marvel at their relaxed feel. Swim in the waters that surround the island and feel the stresses of everyday life leaving you. You cannot possibly be bored here because the whole island exudes a laid back calm that you cannot fail to be attracted to.

The hardest part about visiting Fernando de Noronha is leaving. Can you imagine arriving on such a beautiful sun kissed island only to have to venture back home in a week or two? Neither can we.

Visit Rio’s Botanical Gardens

2010-03-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular and best known locations to visit in Brazil. And one of the best spots to visit while you are in Rio has to be the Botanical Gardens. Locally it is known as the Jardim Botanico, and it is over two hundred years old. The historical aspect alone makes it worth a visit, not to mention the many delightful sights it packs into a day out there as well.

The gardens are located beneath the statue of Christ the Redeemer, at the bottom of the Corcovado Mountain. Thus it is not a hard place to find, and you will marvel at the surroundings you will find yourself in once you get there.

The gardens consist of a number of separate gardens, each offering an experience all of its own. They have created a Sensory Garden for the Blind here as well, which makes it a thoughtful and sensitive place. Everyone can take advantage of this particular corner, as sighted people can be blindfolded to experience it properly for themselves. This corner of the Botanical Gardens is filled with plants that are particularly good to smell and touch, as they provide an alternative experience for everyone.

One thing you will notice about every inch of the Botanical Gardens is the peaceful feeling they instil in you. If you have explored much of Rio by the time you reach them, you will be glad of the chance to relax and drink in the atmosphere and witness the exotic plants and flowers on display here. It is truly a sensory experience that challenges every sense you have.

There is a café here too so when you need a rest you can go and buy a drink and simply sit back and watch the world go by for a few minutes. This is a relaxing and calming place with plenty to see as you wander around. No two parts of the Botanical Gardens are the same, and with everything from cacti to exotically coloured plants, you will find plenty of delightful sights to make the most of.

Feel The Rush Of The Iguassu Falls

2010-02-09T04:12:00.001-08:00

When you visit the Iguassu Falls you will see where Brazil meets up with Argentina on its border. And this particular border is marked in a truly stunning way with the Iguassu Falls. You may also see these referred to as the Iguacu Falls, but whatever name happens to be attached to them there is only one word for the sight itself – and that is amazing.

It isn’t widely known but the Iguassu Falls are actually bigger than Niagara Falls. They also differ from those falls in that there are many different ones all rolled into the one area. Some are in stages so the water rushes over one set of falls and then goes into a pool before rushing over the next fall below it.

To put the two into perspective the Niagara Falls are comprised of just three falls – although of course they are all quite spectacular. The Iguassu Falls on the other hand have no less than two hundred and seventy five separate falls, all combining to make one impressive force of nature.

The biggest drop on the falls is an impressive eighty two metres and it is known as the Devil’s Throat. Small wonder, since the noise surrounding the fall of water is quite amazing.

You’ll need to get to Foz do Iguacu in Brazil in order to see the falls for yourself. You will find the area is well set up to enable people to make the most of taking photos and seeing the falls quite safely up close. Walkways have been built going out into the Lower River Iguacu, so you can get closer to this natural spectacle that brings Brazil and Argentina together.

It has also been said that while the Iguassu Falls are not the biggest in the world, they are the most impressive. Some even say they are better than seeing Niagara Falls, simply because of the number of separate falls you can see. They are also more accessible to the public, which means there are lots of chances to stand closer to a myriad of waterfalls than you will have anywhere else on earth.

Off The Beaten Track In Brazil

2010-01-11T02:03:00.001-08:00

Brazil has plenty of reasons to commend it as a holiday destination. You’ll hear plenty of people talking about the beaches for starters, and they certainly do offer the chance to lie back and relax while you are there.

But how about doing something a bit different? How about seeing some parts of Brazil that are less well known?

One of the best ways of doing this is to go off the beaten track and book a spot on one of the off road tours that are offered by several companies. Some of these are only offered on a seasonal basis so do check first, but it’s worth making sure you book your trip at a time when you can take advantage of an off road experience.

A good example is the off road tour which takes you into the Floresta da Tijuca. This is in Rio itself, and it is also known more simply by the name Tijuca Forest. The longer name is its Portuguese title.

So why book a spot on a tour like this?

Well let’s not forget that Brazil has the advantage of having some incredible rainforests at its disposal, and that is exactly what the Tijuca Forest actually is. This is a national park and the tour will show you exactly what can be found in the rainforest. While there is never any guarantee of seeing animals and birds of any kind, you can look forward to the possibility of seeing monkeys and much more besides in their natural habitat. It certainly beats seeing them in a zoo!

Brazil is a wonderful country to visit and it has a lot to offer to tourists. But don’t forget that some of the best tourist attractions are those which occur naturally. The landscape of Brazil – such as that seen in the Floresta da Tijuca – is arguably better than any other sights you could see. So make the most of every minute of it and add this rainforest to your itinerary.

Be sure to take a guide though, and only go where you know it is safe. Having respect for the natural world around you is essential in order to enjoy it at its fullest.

Head For The Mountain Railway In Rio de Janeiro

2009-11-04T01:27:00.001-08:00

Hopping on a different mode of transport in another country is always good fun as it shows you another side of that country.

But when it comes to travelling in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, don’t miss the chance to climb on board the Corcovado Rack Railway. Not only is this a railway that is rather different from the one you might use to get to and from work every day, it is also the one that will take you to one of the best sights in the whole of Rio.

First though you might want to know what a rack railway actually is. It looks like a normal railway except that a rack rail is included in between the normal rails. This enables the train to go up steeper inclines than they would normally be able to do – and that should give you an idea of what to expect from the Corcovado Rack Railway.

Over the course of nearly two and a half miles the train gradually makes its way up to a height of over 2300 feet. Hence the need for the rack railway! But while the journey itself is a great experience, nothing will prepare you for the statue that awaits you upon your arrival at the top.

This statue is an iconic image and even if you haven’t seen it in person before you will surely recognise it. It is a statue of Christ with its arms outstretched, and it stands at the summit looking over Rio itself.

As you can imagine it is not only wonderful to see the statue, but to see what the statue looks over too. The area is also well designed so as to accommodate plenty of tourists, since this is one of the most popular spots to visit in all of Rio.

All in all then, with a classic train ride, a world famous statue and a chance to get some photos of the most famous view in all of Rio, this is one outing that should not be missed. Are you ready to see it all?

Brazil expects half million visitors for 2014 World Cup

2007-11-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

Brazil hopes it will attract some half-a-million foreigners when it hosts the 2014 World Cup, the country's Tourism Ministry has said.

The Brazilian government plans to make the most of the World Cup to spread information on the country internationally, with a view to attracting more visitors, said Jeanine Pires, president of the state tourism organization Embratur.

"Brazil is known and respected across the world for its football. There is nothing more natural than making the most of that opportunity to show the world that we have all it takes to host great events and reinforce the spread of Brazil's attractions," Pires said.

Brazil was picked Tuesday to stage the 2014 World Cup by the executive committee of world football governing body FIFA.

"The presence of 500,000 tourists for just a single event will without a doubt shake the country's economy," Pires said.

Embratur estimated that each one of the tourists that travel to Brazil for the World Cup will spend about 112 dollars per day.

FIFA has yet to decide how many cities will host World Cup games but has said it wishes to limit the number to eight cities. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), in turn, confirmed Tuesday that it will seek to take matches to 12 cities, in hopes of making the most of an event which the football-crazy country hosted only once before, in 1950.

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Brazilian tourism 'to reach record levels'

2007-11-22T06:24:00.000-08:00

The number of holidaymakers visiting Brazil is expected to reach record levels this year, according to official estimates.

Brazil's tourism institute Embratur stated that during the last five years, visitor numbers have increased by almost a third.

Figures showed that whereas 3.78 million foreign tourists arrived in the country during 2002, more than five million visited last year.

This high rate of growth could be of interest to overseas property investors, as this would indicate greater demand for rental accommodation in Brazil.

Speaking to Arabian Travel News, Embratur president Jeanine Pires said: "That means that Brazil is moving towards a new record in the intake of foreign currency through the visit of foreign tourists."

She added that she hoped more Brazilian airlines would begin to service the Middle East in order to attract more visitors from this region.

Earlier this month, Brand Week reported the country's government was investing in a multi-million dollar promotional campaign which was designed to attract more US holidaymakers.

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Brazil visitor numbers climb in October

2007-11-22T06:12:00.000-08:00

Brazil saw a 15.2% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers in October, with 552,520 people arriving in the country.

This is an increase from the 479,550 who visited the South American nation in October 2006, according to figures from the national tourism institute.

Based on the performance of Brazil's travel industry so far this year, the country's tourism industry is predicting that its total number of visitors in 2007 should exceed that of last year, when international arrivals topped the 6.3m mark.

Some 532,840 travellers arrived via regular flights in October, 18% more than the 451,330 a year earlier.

The tourism institute said that this represented the second consecutive month in which the rate of growth was greater than the general average.

Brazil is the largest country in South America and home to such iconic tourist locations as the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, and Copacabana beach.

If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.

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Living in Brazil Has Become Cheaper for Foreigners

2007-06-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

18 June 2007

Brazil's São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have dropped significantly in the ranking of most expensive city for expatriates, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer Human Resource Consulting. But they still remain the most expensive cities in Latin America.

São Paulo is now placed 62nd, compared with 34th in 2006, and is followed by Rio de Janeiro in 64th place (position 40 in 2006).

Although the Brazilian real has remained stable against the US dollar over the last 12 months, the Brazilian cities surveyed have been pushed down the ranking as they give way to European cities that are ascending due to the buoyancy of the Euro.

According to Mercer, Moscow is the world's most expensive city for expatriates for the second consecutive year. London is in second position, climbing three places since last year. Seoul moves down one place in the ranking to take third place, followed by Tokyo in fourth. Asuncion, Paraguay, on the other hand, is the least expensive city for the fifth year running.

Mercer's annual Cost of Living Survey covers 143 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

It is the world's most comprehensive cost of living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.

Europe dominated the top 50, placing 30 cities on the list and capturing six of spots in the top ten. Strong currencies helped push most European cities higher for 2007.

Africa placed five cities in the top 50, with Douala, Cameroon on top with a rank of 24. Four of the African cities climbed in the rankings while Lagos, Nigeria dropped from 31 to 37.

Four cities in the Middle East were in the top 50 for 2007, lead by Tel Aviv, Israel in 17th place. Istanbul, Turkey took the biggest drop in the top 50, from 15th to 38th.

Eight Asian cities were on the top 50 list, led by Seoul, Korea in third place. The biggest mover was Taipei, Taiwan which dropped from 28th to 48th.

Only two US cities made the list (New York City at 15th and Los Angeles at 42nd) thanks to the weak US dollar. No Canadian or Latin American cities were in the top 50.

New York remains the most expensive city in North America but drops five places to position 15 (score 100). Other North American cities have dropped more steeply and only New York and Los Angeles (position 42, score 87.1) rank in the top 50 cities.

"The decline of most US cities in the ranking can be attributed to the depreciation of the US dollar against the euro and other major currencies worldwide. The change reflects a reversal of the situation experienced this time last year, when the majority of US cities climbed the ranking due to the strength of the dollar," said Ms Powers.

Globally, the least costly city is Asuncion in Paraguay for the fifth consecutive year (score 50). Other low-ranking cities include Quito and Montevideo in 141st (56.3) and 140th place (58.4) respectively.

Toronto, the most expensive city in Canada, has dropped 35 places to position 82 (score 78.8). Calgary and Vancouver have also tumbled down the rankings, sliding from 71st place to 92nd and 56th to 89th respectively.

Ottawa remains the cheapest Canadian city in 109th position scoring 72.3. Canadian cities have traditionally rated favorably in the worldwide ranking. The new scores reflect a low rate of inflation and stable housing prices. In addition, while it has appreciated slightly against the US dollar, the Canadian dollar has depreciated nearly 13% against the euro since last year's survey.

Brazil Squad Promotes Statue as One of 7 Wonders

2007-05-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

23 May 2007

Brazil's national soccer squad has joined Rio de Janeiro's campaign to have the city's landmark Christ the Redeemer statue chosen as one of the seven "new" wonders of the world.

The Brazilian Soccer Federation said on Wednesday the five-time world champions will unfurl a banner urging people to vote for the statue on the pitch of London's Wembley stadium before kick-off of a friendly match against England on June 1.

Over 45 million votes have so far been cast in an online campaign by the non-profit New7Wonders Foundation (www.new7wonders.com) to choose the seven "new" wonders of the world with the final result due to be announced on July 7.

The statue is one of 21 finalists in the contest to rank architectural marvels alongside Paris' Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal in India, Peru's mountaintop city Machu Picchu, Britain's Stonehenge, and New York's Statue of Liberty.

"It is important to support that symbol of Rio in order to rescue the tourism image of the city, which has been affected by violence," said Federation spokesman Rodrigo Paiva.

"We also think that might be useful for Brazil's candidacy to host the 2014 World Cup, which would be another big tourism event".

The oceanside city, with its verdant hills and sandy beaches, has one of the highest murder rates in Latin America at about 40 per 100,000 people annually. Gun battles between slum gangs and police claim dozens of lives every month and street muggings are common.

Opened in 1931, the 125-feet (38 meters) tall Christ the Redeemer statue stands on a platform atop Rio's famous Corcovado mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the city, the ocean and Guanabara Bay.

Posters and banners on city streets urge people to vote for the statue by phone or local Internet site (www.votecristo.com.br), which links users to the New7Wonders Foundation.

The New7Wonders Foundation was set up in 2001 by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber to protect humanity's heritage.

The ancient Greeks chose the original seven wonders but only one of those remain -- the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

Gastronomy

2007-04-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Gastronomy

Like the hamburger and the banana split in the United States, Brazil's cuisine is the product of tradition and happenstance. Each region of Brazil - depending on its indigenous culture, which European group colonized it, nearness to rivers or the ocean annual rain and soil conditions - developed its own very diverse dishes.

Food

The cuisine from Bahia dates back to the time of slavery when the masters saved scraps from the table or leftovers from the previous day's meal to give to the slaves. Some slaves were allowed to fish and look for shrimp and clams. Remembering their cooking-pot training from Africa, the women would put bits of ingredients together and add the milk of coconuts or the oil from the dendê palm. Over the years these concoctions were worked out in recipes and were given names. Today it is called Bahian food. Some of its delicacies are:

Vatapá: Shrimp are either cut up or ground together with pieces of fish, then cooked with dendê palm oil, coconut milk and pieces or bread. The dish is served over white rice.

Sarapatel: The liver and heart of either a pig or a sheep are mixed with fresh blood of either animal; tomatoes, peppers, and onions are added and everything is cooked together.

Carurú: Sauteed shrimp are combined with a very sharp sauce made of red peppers and tiny okra.

In the Amazon region a favorite dish is pato no tucupi which is pieces or duck in a rich sauce that is loaded with a wild green herb that tingles the stomach for hours after eating. Another typical dish is tacacá, a thick yellow soup that is laced with dried shrimp and garlic.

In Rio Grande do Sul churrasco is the big dish. It is pieces of beefs skewered onto a metal sword, and roasted outdoors over hot coals. There is a tomato and onion sauce to go over it. The gaúchos of the interior barbecue an entire steer this way.

If there is one dish that typifies Brazilian cooking it is feijoada. In Rio de Janeiro, where it is especially popular, feijoada is a complicated bean dish prepared with air-dried beef, smoked sausage, tongue, pig's ears and tails, garlic, and chili peppers. It is customary to fill a soup plate with white rice and spoon feijoada on top. Over this is added pulverized manioc flour (farofa), a starch that thickens the sauce. The whole dish is garnished with collard greens and slices of oranges.

Drink

Many international travellers think Brazilian beer is one of the best in the entire western hemisphere.

For generations there have been expert German and Dutch brewers overseeing the manufacturing and processing of all major companies.

Brazil produces a powerful, clear, raw rum (cachaça) made from fermented sugar cane alcohol. Cachaça combined with crushed lime, sugar, and ice becomes a very popular drink called caipirinha. Guaraná, a delicious soft drink unique to Brazil, is made out of a fruit from the Amazon.

For more information visit Brazil Tourism website

Rhythm Rules in Brazil City, Attracting Foreign Visitors

2007-02-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

Rhythm is king in this seaside city long known as the capital of Afro-Brazilian culture, and not only at carnival.

Drums thunder from behind the colorful walls of colonial houses that line the winding cobblestone streets of the historic Pelourinho district. Passengers on passing buses thump out intricate poly-rhythms on the seat backs, floors and windows.

Even the city's Catholic churches percolate with rhythm, with samba groups often standing in for the choir to celebrate the saints' days.

But when the throbbing rhythm gets under your skin and the rumbling won't leave you in peace, it can only mean one thing: Carnival is coming to Salvador da Bahia.

"Carnival is actually just the culmination of a series of festivals that make up our summer season, beginning in December," said Valter Oliveira Leite, president of the municipal carnival council.

The uninitiated could easily mistake the seemingly endless series of shows and festivals in the run-up to carnival for the actual event. But carnival is unmistakable, with 2.5 million people clogging the city's main avenues and dancing behind more than 200 bands that ply the city's streets on top of enormous sound trucks, night and day.

It's very different from Rio's more-famous, made-for-TV parade.

Salvador's carnival officially begins this year on Feb. 15, a day earlier than Rio's bash, and runs a day longer. In New Orleans, Feb. 20 is known as Mardi Gras; here, many bands turn out for a last gasp the next day, Ash Wednesday, as well, despite protests from the Catholic Church.

In recent years, Salvador's carnival has become a magnet for black American tourists in search of their African roots in Brazil.

Salvador was Brazil's first capital and major stop for slave ships coming from Africa to the New World. Today, the city is more than 70 percent black and is a center of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble, similar to Santeria and Voodoo. It also is a nucleus of the martial-arts dance form known as capoeira, and birthplace of samba.

"It's all just religiously, spiritually inspired. It reminds me of New Orleans and some parts of South Carolina where I grew up," says George H. Smith, 63, a black American printmaker from Washington, D.C., who was on his second visit to Brazil.

Anthropologists say that, in many ways, slavery-era African culture is better preserved in Salvador than it is in Africa.

"We worry more about our African roots than they do in Africa," says Vera Lacerda, a retired history professor who runs one of Salvador's most popular carnival groups, Ara Ketu. "In Africa, they don't want to remember the past. Here, we want to hold on to what we were torn away from."

The biggest attractions of Salvador's carnival are the huge bands that play a calypso-inflected samba known as axe (ah-SHAY) from the tops of the sound trucks.

Carnival in Brazil's African capital a growing attraction for foreign tourists

2007-01-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

SALVADOR, Brazil -- Rhythm is king in this seaside city long known as the capital of Afro-Brazilian culture, or more simply as the Black Rome -- and not only at carnival.

Drums thunder from behind the colorful walls of colonial houses that line the winding cobblestone streets of the historic Pelourinho district. Passengers on passing buses thump out intricate poly-rhythms on the seat backs, floors and windows.

Even the city's reputed 365 Catholic Churches -- one for each day of the year -- percolate with the popcorn of rhythm, with samba groups often standing in for the choir to celebrate the saints' days.

But when the throbbing rhythm gets under your skin and the rumbling won't leave you in peace, it can only mean one thing: Carnival is coming to Salvador da Bahia.

"Carnival is actually just the culmination of a series of festivals that make up our summer season, beginning in December," said Valter Oliveira Leite, president of the municipal carnival council.

The uninitiated could easily mistake the seemingly endless series of shows and festivals in the run-up to carnival for the actual event. But Carnival itself is unmistakable -- with some 2.5 million people clogging the city's main avenues and dancing behind more than 200 bands that ply the city's streets on top of enormous sound trucks, night and day.

It's very different from Rio's more famous made-for-TV parade, with fans in grandstands evaluating the elaborate floats and costumes. But many Brazilians feel the real street Carnival is the full contact sport of Salvador, some 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) northeast of Rio.

Salvador's carnival officially begins this year on Feb. 15, a day earlier than Rio's bash, and runs a day later. Feb. 20 is the date known in New Orleans as Mardi Gras; here, many bands turn out for a last gasp the next day, Ash Wednesday, as well, despite protests from the Catholic Church.

In recent years, Salvador's carnival also has become a haven for black American tourists in search of their African roots in Brazil.

Salvador was Brazil's first capital and major stop for slave ships coming from Africa to the New World. Today the city is more than 70 percent black and is a center of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble - similar to Santeria and Voodoo. It also is a nucleus of the martial art-dance form known as capoeira - as well as the birthplace of samba.

"It's all just religiously, spiritually inspired. It reminds me of New Orleans and some parts of South Carolina where I grew up," said George H. Smith, a 63-year-old black American printmaker from Washington D.C., who was on his second visit to Brazil.

This year, U.S. producer Quincy Jones is expected to attend Carnival as a guest of Culture Minister and pop star Gilberto Gil, with an eye toward making a Buena Vista Social Club-style documentary about the proceedings. Plans to bring Janet Jackson and Oprah Winfrey, however, have fallen through, according to Gil's spokeswomen Gilda Matoso.

Anthropologists say in many ways slavery-era African culture is better preserved in Salvador than it is in Africa.

"We worry more about our African roots than they do in Africa. In Africa, they don't want to remember the past. Here we want to hold on to what we were torn away from," said Vera Lacerda, a retired history professor who now runs one of Salvador's most popular carnival groups, Ara Ketu.

The biggest attraction of Salvador's carnival are the "trios eletricos," huge bands that play a calypso-inflected samba known as "Axe (ah-SHAY) Music" from the top of the sound trucks.

Axe stars Ivete Sangalo and Daniela Mercury are famous across the nation and their songs can be heard on the radio all year around. Other bands like "Chiclete Com Banana" are a hit in Bahia and at offseason carnivals around Brazil during the rest of the year.

But many foreigners, especially black Americans, are more interested in the elaborately costumed Afro "blocos," or carnival groups like Olodum, which appeared on Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints," album. Or the "Afoxes' (ah-fo-SHAYS) like Filhos de Ghandi, who pound out Candomble rhythms on percussion instruments, roam the streets in white turbans and will happily pour perfume on you for the asking.

There even been efforts to include rock, hip-hop and reggae in the celebrations. Last year, the Irish rock band U2 attended the festivities, though plans to have the band to play on top of a sound truck reportedly were canceled because of security concerns.

"The first night we let our tourists watch from the stands, and then next night it's up to them whether they think they can handle it down below," said Conor O'Sullivan, who works with Brazil Nuts Tours, which specializes in cultural tours and student groups.

To celebrate Salvador's street carnival, you can spend anywhere from 30 reals (US$14) to 2,000 reals (US$930) for an "abada," usually a T-shirt and head scarf which allows revelers to follow a band around for three days and nights separated from the general population by a thick cord, held in place by throngs of burly men.

Some 86,000 "cordeiros," or rope holders, are employed each year just to separate the crowds.

Or you can stay in the "pipoca," or popcorn, which costs nothing and means hanging out in the densely-packed streets. The advantage of the pipoca is you can glimpse various bands from outside the ropes. The disadvantage is that each passing band is capable of sweeping one down the avenue with the force of a tsunami.

Organizers are understandably proud of how little violence there is traditional is in Salvador Carnival. In general, there are no more than one or two homicides each year.

"Everybody who comes here says, 'if this kind of thing happened in my city you'd have some 200 people dead on the first day,"' said Merina Aragao, carnival manager for Emtursa, the Bahia state tour agency that organizes the event.

About 18,000 policemen and 3,000 firefighters are employed to provide security.

Still, Aragao admits that robberies and purse snatching are frequent. But she argues that it's all but inevitable in the crush of bodies where millions of hands can be found groping in search of intimate body contact or cash.

With romance in the air, the federal government hands out millions of free condoms each year during carnival, as well as tips on how to avoid the spread of AIDS.

In recent year, a big fad among revelers has been exchanging openmouthed kisses with strangers before moving on. And one resourceful businessman has begun marketing an antiseptic spray to protect serial kissers from the spread of disease, although the health ministry doesn't vouch for the product's efficiency

Morocco and Brazil among most recommended tourist spots for 2007

2007-01-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

Brazil and Morocco should be two of the most sought after destinations for international tourists this year. The two countries were pointed out, in addition to nine other countries, by the Miami Herald newspaper, from the United States, as the best travel destinations for 2007. The Arab country ranks third in the survey, with Brazil in the fifth position. The article is based on a ranking by the journalists in charge of writing the travel guides for Lonely Planet, the world's leading publishing company in the area of books on tourist destinations.

The journalists at Lonely Planet have singled out China as the hottest spot for holidays this year. The United States came in second. Argentina is the fourth best destination. Also on the list are Turkey, in sixth place, Nicaragua, in seventh, Spain, in eighth, and Greece, in ninth. Mexico and India share the tenth place.

The reasons why the Lonely Planet journalists recommend going to Morocco this year are the scenic landscapes and exotic cities, such as Marrakech and Fez. They claim that the Arab country provides travellers with an opportunity of combining historic and cultural knowledge with adventure and beach activities. The country also has in its favour the ease of access, through Spain. Morocco intends to receive 10 million tourists per year by 2010. Last year, between January and November, the country was visited by 5.87 million tourists.

Regarding Brazil, the journalists highlight the natural and cultural diversity. The news story published in the Miami Herald newspaper also claims that tourism is "taking off" with the establishment of good boutique hotels, i.e., hotels that have high-end stores on their premises. Hotel Fasano, located in the southeastern Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro and designed by the French Philippe Starck, is cited as an example. The article also touches upon the quality gastronomy found in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both in the southeast, as well as the carnival and the Pan American Games, to be held this year in Rio.

Brazil - 2006 team of the year

2006-12-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

For the fifth time in succession, Brazil have been crowned Team of the Year, pipping world champions Italy at the post for the top award.

Some of the hottest contenders before the World Cup and the revised rankings - the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Argentina - have all failed to capitalise on Brazil's quarter-final exit from Germany 2006 and it was Italy who led the strongest challenge.

Just one or two better results after the World Cup would have hoisted the Azzurri to the summit.

However, a change at the top of the ranking in 2007 could still become reality, given the narrow gaps between the teams.

After gaining almost 500 extra points and leaping from 12th into second place according to the new method of calculation, Italy well deserve the title 'Top Mover of the Year'.

France and Germany have re-appeared among the world's elite in the ranking, which measures only the number of points gained over the past 12 months.

Other big movers of the year include Nigeria (9th, 350 extra points) and Qatar (58th, 309 extra points).

Beautiful Brazil is closer than you think

2006-12-19T02:59:00.000-08:00

It is summer virtually all year round in Brazil but, until recently, this semi tropical paradise, the fifth largest country in the world, attracted fewer tourists than Ireland or Austria. Prime Properties International says things are about to change as Brazil sets out to attract more European visitors and property buyers.

It is not just about samba and sunshine. Brazil has a rich culture, a cost of living about a fifth of that in the UK, and no history of hurricanes or earthquakes. Now the Brazilian government has backed ambitious plans to build new resorts, roads and airports, and double tourism numbers

More than two thousand apartments are being created, centred around two yacht marinas, a golf course and a shopping centre three times the size of Harrods.

The most expensive cost just 87,500 Sterling and 60 % mortgages are available from a number of international banks. For investors who wish to let their properties, rental incomes will be contractually guaranteed to outstrip the mortgage payments. For example, the rental income on a one-bed roomed apartment will be 250 Euros per month, for a mortgage of just 150 Euros.

Prime Properties is based in southern Spain where it has operated successfully for seven years. It has now opened an international division offering properties as far afield as South Africa, the Caribbean and Morocco, Goa and Thailand.

Sales director Jeanette Tebrook said: "Brazil is an extremely exciting step for us, but we think Natal is on course to become a magnet for sun seekers and investors.

Nearly two billion US dollars is being invested into new hotels, golf courses and resorts and by June 2009 it will open the biggest airport in South America, a sure sign of a safe property investment."

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006

2006-12-07T06:22:00.001-08:00

Back on top of the world, Brazil will probably put their performance in last year's competition down to an aberration; the kind of wild upset that happens from time to time. Having surrendered their global crown to Portugal in 2001 and France in 2005, the Auriverde set the record straight this time around to claim their tenth title in the discipline. Alexandre Soares's men did so in stunning fashion too, never once looking ruffled during ten days of intense action on Copacabana Beach.

True, they conceded an uncommon amount of goals to the USA in a group game with little at stake (10-6) and took a while to assert their dominance over Portugal in the semis (7-4) and Uruguay in the final (4-1), but the hosts were unquestionably head and shoulders above the rest at the second FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
"I know our supporters weren't necessarily very confident at the start of the tournament, but I expected only one thing: that the players I selected go out and show what they could do," commented Soares afterwards. "We were favourites but we had to prove we deserved that tag. My team did even more than that and I'm very proud of them. This title belongs to the squad, not to me."

Destination 2006 - the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development

2006-12-07T06:06:00.001-08:00

Destination 2006, the 3rd. Annual Summit of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development in Porto Alegro, Brazil took place November 29 to December 2nd and brought together World Tourism Leaders.

During the three days, in panels, meetings and seminars delegates debated diverse themes relating to sustainable tourism, such of the preservation of biodiversity, economic development the valuing of cultural diversity and the creation of conditions of peace. Also to be debated were the role of the media in the dissemination of these concepts and the viewpoint of the tourist, as well as their responsibility as responsible consumers.

eTN Publisher Thomas Steinmetz attended the conference.

The opening of Destinations2006 was highlighted by a very special ceremony, held at the Ceremonial Hall of Rio Grande do Sul Pontifical Catholic University (PUCRS), attended by important guests, officials, partners and tourism leaders.

The guests included Mr. Walfrido dos Mares Guia, Brazilian Minister of Tourism; Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Mr. Germano Rigotto, Governor of Rio Grande do Sul state; Mr. José Fogaça, Mayor of Porto Alegre city; and Sergio Foguel, President of the Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development.

Mr. Fogaça, mayor of Porto Alegre city, opened the ceremony by welcoming the participants in the Forum, highlighting the importance of tourism as a public development policy for all nations.

Then, Mr. Foguel, President of the Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development, outlined a history of the previous editions of the Forum in Brazil, until Porto Alegre.
Mr. Foigel left a question as a guideline for the next days' discussions: How to make quality tourism a rule, driving the changes so many countries and regions throughout the world really require?

Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), recalled the challenges faced by tourism development. Mr. Frangialli stressed the support of the UNWTO to the Forum and announced the building of an Excellence Center for Sustainable Tourism in Montreal, Canada.

Mr. Walfrido Mares Guia, Brazilian Minister of Tourism, highlighted the importance given to tourism during his tenure. Mr. Guia stressed the fact that tourism is one of the ways to face two global challenges: promoting the peace and reducing poverty.

Mr. Germano Rigotto, governor of Grande do Sul state, highlighted the evolution of his state in the sustainable tourism area, and welcomed all participants.
The highlight of the first plenary session of the 3rd Annual Summit of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development (Destinations2006) was the quality factor in tourism.

Mr Sergio Foguel, President of the Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development, opened the session with a video showing the evolution of the debates on sustainable tourism in the three-year history of the Summit. After the video, Mr Foguel reviewed the advancements in the deployment of sustainable tourism, starting a reflection on how to make this practice the rule, not the exception, for the global tourism destinations.

The session was chaired by Mr Tito Conti, President of the International Academy for Quality. Mr. Conti made a presentation emphasizing the need for deploying a collaborative network to build a true quality tourism experience. “We can’t just do things right; we have to do right things in the right way,” stressed the chairman.

Mr Cláudio de Moura Castro, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Faculdades Pitágoras provided a full-fledged reflection on the choice of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism to certify institutions that comply with the regulations and requirements for quality tourism. “Certification will become a competitive differentiator for compliant companies,” he said.

The importance of deploying quality processes for tourism from the outset of the projects has been the keynote of the analysis provided by Mr Henrik Handzuh, representative of the UN World Tourism Organisation.

Mr Walfrido dos Mares Guia, the Brazilian Minister of Tourism, participated in the session. Mr Guia, who has a track record in deployment of quality processes, underscored the importance given by the Ministry to the tourism quality issue, highlighting a survey conducted with visitors to Brazil.
According to the survey, the respondents believe the service quality in Brazil has a lot of room for improvement to attract more visitors to the country.

The closing of the technical track of the 3rd Annual Summit of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development (Destinations2006), recommended decisions on the future of the global tourism.
Sergio Foguel, president of the Tourism for Peace and Sustainable Development Foundation, recalled the question posed at the beginning of the Summit: “How to make quality tourism a rule, driving the change many countries and regions of the planet need so urgently?”

Foguel reminded that, from the outset, the Forum has already brought together approximately 300 cases, 10,000 people and 100 countries. “More importantly than collecting cases, our biggest gain is the ability to bring people together and multiply experiences,” he reflected.

The future of the Forum’s cause was reviewed, with the analysis of the key topics addressed during the Summit.
Concrete agreements and decisions defined during the Summit were recalled in his presentation, which highlighted three of them: the creation of the Tourism and Biodiversity Preservation Network, the South-American integration for the fight against the sexual exploitation of children and teenagers, and the creation of the Tourism Committee of Rio Grande do Sul state’s Quality and Productivity Programme (PGQP).

Then, Felipe Cruz, President of the Hospitality Institute, presented the recommendations collected from all 19 theme panels, 27 integrated events, an exhibition of 60 posters and four plenary sessions. Mr Cruz highlighted the contents of the discussions from of three viewpoints: competitiveness and sustainability, the quality factor, and the strategic management of destinations.

The session goes on with the presentation of a message prepared by the youth participating in the Summit, a presentation of Mr Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture, and the announcement of the Forum’s future.