90 In early January 2015, while still analyzing the results of the World Cup year, the Ministry of Tourism was also preparing for another great international event in the form of the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. “We are focused on a strategic equation in preparation for the Olympic year, which involves heavy investment in professional training, structural work, improving competitiveness, encouraging entrepreneurship and expanding credit for the sector,” saysMinister of Tourism, Vinícius Lages. He explains that the goal for his team is to add to Brazil’s attractiveness, for both Brazilian and international tourists. “Although the games are limited in scope to Rio and the other four cities that will host training, or soccer games, the concept of Olympic year will spread this spirit throughout the country,” he says. “The idea is that tourists will take the opportunity to see cultural events in other places, spreading the positive impact of the Games to the 26 states and the Federal District, as happened in the World Cup, when more than 491 municipalities were visited. This will make 2015 and 2016 two great years for tourism in Brazil as a whole. This year we have a series of test events that begin in July,” he explains. In listing Brazil’s attributes, Lages highlights the country’s enormous biodiversity and its world-class levels of hospitality, along with the fact that it is one of the most multicultural places in the world. He adds along with professionalism and innovation, these three characteristics are an extremely powerful competitive advantage in the travel industry. Accordingly, he concludes that the role of the Ministry of Tourism is to organize this supply and make it a dream ticket for Brazilian and international tourists. “This is where tourists can find the largest theme park in Latin America and a strong of beaches with turquoise or emerald seas. It is here that visitors can do everything from hot air ballooning to off road adventures, from diving in cavies to bird watching, rafting and tracking - all safe in the knowledge that they are in a country that is a leader in certification and safety standards for adventure tourism. The structures are most varied and fit every profile, budget and dream. We have the largest metropolis in South America, the quiet and simplicity of rural tourism, and the comfort and exclusivity of major hotel chains. I like to say that Brazil’s diversity lies in experiencing it: there are a thousand ways to be charmed by our destinations, there is a passion tailored to every,’ says Lages. Lages also mentions the advantages for Brazilians to travel in their own country, rather than going abroad. He rejects the idea that tourism at home is expensive. According to him, the difference lies in planning. “International travel is carefully planned and there is a special effort made in looking for flights, accommodation and tickets to attractions, given the difference in currency and the expectations about a new culture. We try to plan the tiniest details, with maps, phone calls, and travel guides, which is absolutely right and it should apply to any trip we make,” he says. In his view, the same does not happen when people travel in Brazil. “We are extremely impulsive, even though we know buying tickets and reserving hotels without planning can mean we pay more and might even make the trip impossible,” he adds. It should be stressed that packages that include a rental car can be bought and paid for in installments. Wonderful Brazil Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Vinícius Lages, reveals his goals for 2015, talks about the benefits for Brazilians of traveling in their own country and explains that people from abroad who visited Brazil for the World Cup plan to come back MTur
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