International tourism is resuming as the pandemic situation is increasingly under control, as several countries open their borders to tourists. Among the countries ready to welcome this growing demand, Brazil wants to present itself as a safe destination to the Emirati market.
Brazil launched a year and a half ago a campaign called “Responsible Tourism: Clean and Safe”, with the objective of reducing the impacts of the pandemic and preparing the sector for the gradual return of activities after the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to this work, the country is ready to welcome international tourists and reach pre-pandemic traffic levels, which generated about 6.19 million jobs and was responsible for US$ 71.8 B in the Brazilian economy during 2020.
“We want tourists to travel in a safe environment. This is a priority for us. Therefore, ecotourism and nature are big trends for tourism recovery. Brazil has a lot to offer in this field as we have 66% of our territory covered by native vegetation. We have destinations like Amazonia and other places with vast preserved areas that should be visited for a lifetime experience”, says Carlos Brito, president of Embratur.
According to Global Data, about 5.3 million Emirati went on international trips in 2019, a number that has been increasing every year since 2016. The main reasons for an international trip were Leisure, 62.5%, and Business, 25.6%. The United Arab Emirates is a strategic market for Brazil, which wants to highlight its attractions in the Gastronomic, Luxury, Business, Leisure, and Well-Being segments, presenting the Brazilian differentials to tourists from the Emirates.
Embratur is present at Expo Dubai 2020 to reinforce that Brazil is ready to welcome international visitors. During the event, the Brazilian Tourist Board and the Minister of Tourism held a meeting with Emirates CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Seed Al Maktoum. The meeting aimed at increasing the connection of destinations in the South, the North, focusing on the Amazon, and the Northeast of Brazil with Dubai and other Emirates hubs on flights operated by the airline. Since October 31, Emirates resumed operating direct flights between São Paulo and Dubai. The route will once again be operated with the Airbus A380, the largest commercial aircraft in the world. The plane holds around 500 passengers in a 3-class configuration: first, business and economy.
Emirati travelers are required to present a document proving the performance of an antigen test, carried out within twenty-four hours prior to the time of boarding, or a laboratory RT-PCR, performed within seventy-two hours prior to the time of boarding, with a negative or undetectable result. It is also requested the filling of the Traveler’s Health Declaration – DSV, within a maximum of twenty-four hours prior to boarding, with the agreement on the measures that must be complied with during the period you are in the country.
Vaccination plan
Currently over 65% of the Brazilian adult population is fully vaccinated with both doses and over 86% received the first dose. The health authorities distributed more than 320 million doses since the beginning of vaccination.
In addition to public health safeguards in terms of vaccination, the government maintains the “Responsible Tourism: Clean and Safe” campaign, through which tourism professionals and establishments that commit to the health, safety and service protocols recommended by the World Health Organization in their operations are certified. To date, more than 26 thousand certification stamps have been distributed to different tour operators, which allow them to provide tourists with a safe, transparent, and COVID-free experience.
The certifications are given to all types of establishments: tourism agencies, tour operators, event organizers, theme parks, tourist camps, restaurants, cafeterias and bars, convention centers, marinas, concert halls, event infrastructure service providers, tour guides, car rental companies; to meet any foreigner’s needs in Brazil.
