Brazilian tourism earned R$ 15.3 billion in April, growing 47.7% compared to the same period last year, according to data from a survey by the Tourism Council of the Federation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo. (FecomercioSP). There was also an increase of 32.2% in the year. However, compared to April 2019, the year before the pandemic, the sector fell by 7.5%.
FecomercioSP evaluates that the Good Friday holidays, Tiradentes and the carnival parades contributed to the growth, considered significant, in April this year and that the variation of the month demonstrates a solid recovery of tourism in Brazil. In the same period last year, the sector grew 36%. In view of this, the entity adds that “the increase is not the result of a weakened basis for comparison, due to the effects of the pandemic, but a real indication of improvement in the prospects of national tourism”.
The biggest growth occurred in the air transport activity, with an increase of 159.7% in the annual comparison and billing of R$ 4.6 billion in the month, returning to the level that billed in April 2019 – already with the value adjusted for inflation – as pointed out by FecomercioSP.
To explain the result, the entity mentions that the companies are expanding the air network with new routes and the demand has followed this movement. Another reason mentioned was the increase in the value of tickets, which is influenced by the increase in aviation kerosene. “In this way, in addition to the recovery of the market in the post-pandemic period, what influenced the segment was, without a doubt, the high prices of tickets”, disclosed, in a note, the entity.
The second largest growth was observed in accommodation and food services, with an increase of 56.1% and revenue of R$ 4.5 billion. In comparison with the pre-pandemic period, however, there was a drop of 12.9%. Cultural, recreational and sports activities registered an increase of 21.7%, with revenues of R$ 1.1 billion in the month. The amount was below the period before the pandemic, since, in comparison with April 2019, there was a drop of 24.2%.
Land transport – which includes intercity, interstate and international buses, in addition to tourist trains – rose 10.9%, with revenues of R$ 2.6 billion and an increase of 1.9% compared to the pre-pandemic level. . Car rental companies, agencies and tour operators advanced 2.5%, earning R$ 2.5 million.
Water transport was the only segment to have a drop in the month (-2.3%), with revenues of R$ 42.3 million, the lowest among the activities mentioned in the survey. With great evolution during the pandemic, according to FecomercioSP, the result was 27.3% higher compared to April 2019.
Despite the April results showing a positive context for tourism, the entity’s assessment points out that, if inflation in the sector remains high, performance may be compromised in the second semester, reducing the expansion amplitude.
The president of the Tourism Board of FecomercioSP, Mariana Aldrigui, noted that spending on tourism is discretionary for both companies and families and that one of the effects of the constant increase in prices is the modification or cancellation of this type of expense.
