"It shows the Brazilian diversity – a country that has several doors open, beaches from the Northeast, Foz do Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Pantanal and the Amazon. However, it is a country that presents several options for tourists to learn about the natural beauties, diversified culture and cuisine," said Tourism minister Luiz Barretto.
According to him, the main objective of the campaign, launched in September in the two main global markets – the American and European -, is to increase the flow of foreign tourists to Brazil.
"Showing this new phase that the country is living – a complex, developed nation with a diversified economy and all conditions to receive tourists well. We currently receive five million foreign tourists a year. We want to increase this flow and make Brazil better known," he said.
Barreto also said that Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is very sensitive to the theme. The program should have a special line for intervention in the cities to host World Cup matches. We are working with Prodetur Nacional, which is a financing bank under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The ministry also established a partnership with Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), which diagnosed the main Brazilian destinations. "We will be analyzing, year by year, up to 2014, these diagnoses. We are going to measure the evolution of these cities in matters like environment, hotel infrastructure, roads, airports and professional qualification. We have several plans and partnerships to prepare the country to promote a great World Cup," guaranteed Barreto.
According to the minister, Brazil has been working hard on better organization of tourist destinations. "We are working on infrastructure, urbanization, services, professional qualification and repercussion of historic assets.
"We have to face the public safety problem. There are problems worldwide. Some countries face earthquakes, others have political instability and religious crises. Brazil has none of these. And the advantages of Brazil are much greater than the possible problems," he pointed out.
Regarding the possibility of hosting the World Cup, the minister guarantees that the whole of Brazil will win, as over 30 national teams will be hosted. According to him, there should be great circulation of tourists in Brazil.
For this reason, 65 Brazilian destinations are being prepared to receive the Cup with great quality. Apart from that, there is also support for Rio de Janeiro to win the right to the 2016 Olympics, against Tokyo, Chicago and Madrid.
"Brazil is a great exporter, with a well developed industry, selling airplanes, and has Petrobras, which is a great multinational. However, it is very important for Brazil to promote great sports events," he added.