Tourists from overseas who participated in technical and scientific events in Brazil spent US$ 34.9 million in the period from September 2007 to December 2008, according to figures compiled by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV) at the request of the Ministry of Tourism. A total of 5,132 foreigners who participated in events in 14 Brazilian cities were interviewed.
The research detailed average daily expenses, profile of expenses, country of residence, income bracket, stay in the country and whether the visitors plan to return.
Most of the tourists lived in the United States, Argentina, Germany and England, and 66% were in Brazil for the first time. The presence of foreigners from 22 countries was identified and 28.98% were aged between 35 and 44 years of age. The average daily expenses were US$ 285.
"Most of the foreigners who come to an event in Brazil are visiting the country for the first time, and an even greater percentage had never been to the city hosting the event. The figures show that over 90% plan to return and that this is a great audience to be worked. Apart from having high levels of income, they are tourists who are opinion makers and who spend high volumes of money per day," said the president of the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur), Janine Pires.
Janine also compared the figures to the average expenses of leisure tourists in the country, US$ 73.4.
Event tourism is a sector that has been presenting significant growth in recent years. According to figures disclosed by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Brazil is currently one of the world's main destinations for promotion of events. In 2008, the country had 254 international events, climbing to the seventh position in the global ranking.
Of the total injected in the Brazilian economy by event tourists, US$ 21.5 million (61.5%) answered to housing and food expenses. Commercial activities also deserve special notice, with 12% of expenses.
"The figures show that this is a different tourist, with higher education, high buying power and seeking practicality, comfort, and highly qualified services and equipment. These characteristics may be reflected in expenses," said Tourism minister Luiz Barretto.
Expenses of foreign visitors also generated added value of US$ 16.3 million, of which US$ 11.3 million were turned to the payment of wages and to the generation of 1,563 jobs.
Anba
