With international capacity still trailing pre-pandemic levels, Brazil has launched a pilot program aimed at enhancing connectivity to and from the country.
The International Tourism Acceleration Program, unveiled during Routes Americas 2024 in Bogotá, will seek to develop public-private partnerships with airlines and airports to increase services and frequencies. About $1.4 million will be made available during the first phase.
Airlines and airports are invited to propose initiatives such as advertising campaigns and promotional trips to attract new air routes, with selected proposals receiving funding.
The scheme is being run by the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Ministry of Tourism. The funding is being provided by the National Civil Aviation Fund.
“Achieving the growth targets for international tourism in Brazil is intrinsically linked to a market factor, which is air connectivity,” Embratur President Marcelo Freixo says. “There is no point in the growing international interest in getting to know Brazil if there are no direct flights or short connections at a competitive price.”
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Priority for funding will be given to flights from “strategic markets” or countries with strong growth potential, even if they are not currently significant for Brazil’s tourism. China and Germany are among the markets that have been identified, with about 60% of German tourists visiting Brazil during 2023 flying indirectly via other European countries.
Additionally, the program will prioritize carriers offering increased weekly flight frequences, as well as proposals using more environmentally friendly aircraft.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, international capacity from Brazil stands at about 278,000 departure seats during the week commencing March 25, equivalent to about 98% of pre-pandemic levels. However,…
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