Considering arrivals on regular flights alone, the growth was even greater, 18%. The number of passengers arriving was 532,840, against 451,330 in October 2006. According to the Embratur, this was the second month running in which growth of arrivals on regular flights was greater than the general average.
The calculation of international arrivals is done by the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero) and includes foreigners and also Brazilians returning to the country.
The Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur) is promoting Brazil as a travel destination in 42 international trade fairs in the second half of 2007. In September alone, the institute together with national tourism companies participated in six international fairs in the United States, Japan, Russia, and France.
Brazil took part in the La Cumbre, held in Fort Lauderdale, in the United States, The Trade Show, in Las Vegas and the IT&ME, in Chicago, all of them held in September.
Participation in international fairs is one of the main strategies for promoting Brazil as a destination abroad, according to the Embratur.
At the fairs, the institute organizes stands where products and services can be showcased that are offered by companies, governments, and non-governmental organizations in the country.
The presence at trade fairs is in keeping with Plano Aquarela ('Watercolour Plan'), a tourism marketing project carried out by the Brazilian federal government.
"The fairs promote a positive image of Brazil in foreign countries, as they announce tourist destinations, products, and services in strategic markets, forecasted by Plano Aquarela, and at the same time they broaden the scope of business opportunities for our country," said the Business and Events director at Embratur, Marcelo Pedroso.
The institute also supports the participation of Brazilian exhibitors in international fairs by lowering their costs.
Until the end of the year, a total of 1,272 companies and organizations should attend tourism fairs outside Brazil with support from Embratur.
In the first seven months of this year, foreign tourists spent US$ 2.8 billion in Brazil. The amount was 12.37% greater than in the same period of 2006. Embratur estimates that expenditures, including exchange operations and use of international credit cards, will reach US$ 4.8 billion by year's end.