Brazilian tourism grew almost 8% in 2023; Fecomércio fears the end of Perse

The Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo (FecomercioSP) reported that Brazilian tourism grew 7.8% and had revenues of around R$189.4 billion last year. According to the entity, the data consolidates the recovery of the sector, which was one of the hardest hit by the new coronavirus pandemic.

In the month of December alone, the increase was 1.1% over the same month in 2022, with an increase of R$18.1 billion, the best result for a single month since the beginning of the pandemic, in 2020.

In annual performance, the positive result was mainly driven by activities such as transport rental, which increased by 18.3% in the period. Only the road travel segment did not perform well in 2023, with a drop of -4%.

The result for December was driven by the accommodation segment, which grew 15.7%, and by air transport revenue (4.4%). Vehicle agencies also improved their performance (10.8%), consolidating the positive year, as did the food segment, with restaurants and bars (8%). On the other hand, there was a drop in road transport, with a loss of 19.9% ​​compared to December 2022.

The study is based on information from the Annual Services Survey, using data updated with variations from the Monthly Services Survey, both from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The values ​​are adjusted monthly by the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA), and activities that are totally or partially related to tourism were chosen.

According to Fecomercio, three Northern States recorded significant increases in revenue in December, when compared to the same month in 2022: Acre (12.9%), Rondônia (12.1%) and Amapá (11.1%). The list is headed by Piauí (17.5%) and also has Sergipe (10.7%) in the composition, forming a pair between North and Northeast. Of the 27 Brazilian federative units, 20 had a positive balance in the month. Results driven by different tourism aspects, such as an increase in hotel demand or car rentals.

Opposite to growth were São Paulo (-2.6%), Rio de Janeiro (-7.4%), Rio Grande do Sul (-1.4%) and Ceará (-1.5%). Even so, they continue to account for more than half (54%) of national tourism revenue.

With the recovery of the sector, Fecomercio fears the end of the Emergency Program for the Resumption of the Events Sector (Perse).

“The entity works actively to maintain Perse, as the program, created in 2021 to help the events segment – ​​which works with many tourist activities, plays a relevant role in the final result. There is a consensus among experts and sector observers that the measure contributed significantly to maintaining company investments, renegotiating debts and generating new jobs after the pandemic period”, wrote Fecomercio.

*With information from Agência Brasil