Quick takes on the country known for its savviness in dealing with tough situations—Brazil:
● Is it possible for Brazilians not to be upbeat? A new survey from BRAZTOA (Brazilian Association of Tour Operators) told us that people in the tourism industry have an expectation that there will be an improvement in the business environment in the second half of 2021—even if current travel bookings are turning over at about 25 percent of what they were in the pre-pandemic environment. Several findings from the survey:
—71 percent of operators reported that they were contacted by vaccinated tourists, with 29 percent of trips marketed to this public taking place in July and 47 percent are scheduled for the second half of this year;
—82 percent of operators believe that the approval of the CoronaVac vaccine by the WHO will bring positive effects for tourism in the second half of 2021; and
—The tour operator Schultz operator last week celebrated its best sales month (June) since the beginning of the pandemic. The operator reported that it had achieved 60 percent of the sales volume registered for the same month in 2019 was.
● Itching to Travel? Just as the first half of the year ended, the Brazilian trade publication Diário do Turismo published an item indicating that the country’s people are itching to spend—generally, a positive sign for leisure travel, which depends disposable income. Said the article:
“Brazilians once again showed willingness to consume, albeit timidly, following a June increase in the indicator of household consumption intentions—as calculated by the National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC), rose 2.1 percent in June,” the article stated, adding, “the indicator was 67.5 points, still the lowest level since August 2020.“ However, despite the improvement, it was the worst June in the historical series (2010) and there was a 2.6 percent retraction compared to the same period in 2020.
Commenting on the report, CNC President José Roberto Tadros observed, “This is another indicator captured by the Confederation that shows how the population cannot and does not want to stop consuming. In June, we have an important date for the retail and services sector, which is Valentine’s Day, which this year is again heated, even with affected circulation. We believe that, with the advance of vaccination in the country, we can reach a much more prosperous scenario at the end of the year”
● “Brazilians want to travel,” says José Guilherme Alcorta emphatically. In a message to readers of the latest Brazilian Overview Monthly Report.* Alcorta, who is CEO of PANROTAS, cites a recent survey by Booking.com which shows that traveling has now become more important than before the pandemic for 63 percent of Brazilians.
“And Brazilians do not mind following protocols and safety measures,” he noted, pointing out that, 70 percent claim that they would accept to prove that they were vaccinated in order to travel.” Here are some of the key points and developments that Alcorta spelled out:
—Less visited and less crowded destinations continue to be preferred, as there are many people seeking alternative and more isolated accommodations, where the family can stay together.
—The great expectation now is related to trips to the United States, Europe, Argentina and Chile. In other words, the main destinations for Brazilians abroad are still closed. Check out some good news for travel recovery in Brazil below:
—Brazil should reach high rates of vaccination in the second half of the year, and the forecast is that the process is ended between October and December. In São Paulo, all adults are expected to have received at least the first vaccine dose by September.
—Amidst the pandemic, the country is gained a new airline, ITA, belonging to the Itapemirim travel group. Domestic routes will connect the main capitals and touristic cities in Brazil. The first flights took place last week.
—Aviation is experiencing the strength of the pandemic recovery. National airlines should arrive in December with a 100 percent recovered offering domestic flights.
—Vaccine tourism is a reality and is successful in the country. Not wanting to wait until the end of the year to vaccinate the youngest members of the family, several Brazilians have gone to Mexico, the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic to quarantine for 15 nights and later have entered the United States for vaccination.
—Eastern Airlines announced the hiring of a country manager. The company is just waiting for the borders to open in order to fly from Belo Horizonte to Boston, Miami and New York.
—Famtours for travel agents are also back: in Brazil and abroad. Destinations, such as Egypt and Mexico, have been chosen by operators and DMCs to show tourism professionals in Brazil that traveling safely is possible.
—There is good news, but the scenario is still worrying and recovery will take a few years. Brazil still has a high rate of unemployment, and the dollar, although less valued, is still too high for mass international travel.
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* The PANROTAS partner in the Overview is FecomércioSP, a São Paulo-based business research organization. You can contact Alcorta at: guilherme@panrotas.com.br