Travel to Brazil is continuing to grow following the introduction of the country’s new visa waiver program for visitors from the United States and a number of other countries, according to a new study by Amadeus Group released by Visit Brazil. From the United States, Brazil has seen a 53 percent increase in the number of trips confirmed for June, and a 97 percent increase for July, compared to the same period last year.
For travelers from Canada, another country that benefits from the new program, the increase was 86 percent for June, 54 percent for July and 135 percent for August.
Last month, the Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau had already been reporting a 31 percent increase in travel demand from the United States, with similar gains from Canada and other countries that benefit from the program, Australia and Japan.
The visa waiver program for the four countries officially takes effect June 17, allowing travelers to visit visa-free so long as they have valid passports and are traveling for leisure and business tourism, artistic or sporting activities, or in “exceptional situations for the national interest.” Stays will be able to last up to 90 days, extendable for another 90 days so long as travelers do not exceed a total of 180 days every 12 months, counted from the date of their first entry into the country.
Currently, travelers must register for an e-visa to travel to Brazil, a measure that was introduced last year. According to the World Tourism Organization, visa facilitation measures can increase inbound travel by an average of 25 percent.
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