BRAZIL ADVERTISES ITS POTENTIAL AS GOLF DESTINATION
Golf tourism was among the topics discussed and presented during the 9th World Travel and Tourism Forum of the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council), held in May, in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, which mobilized the main leaderships of the sector worldwide. During the event, Embratur (Brazilian Tourist Board) disseminated updated data on the work it has developed to disseminate this segment – which is expanding in Brazil - abroad.
Golf is one of the 11 tourism products used by Embratur to promote Brazil abroad. In 2008, several actions were developed focusing on more than ten countries, committing about R$ 800 thousand. The goal is to make Brazil a world reference in golf tourism. Currently, there are 30 new golf courses projects in Brazil, most of which related to tourism undertakings.
Currently, golf tourism transacts US$ 30.5 billion worldwide, according to the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators (IAGTO). According to the Brazilian Golf Confederation, golf transacts about R$ 400 million a year in Brazil.
On the Brazilian Golf Tourism Bureau
Established in 2003 as a body of the Golf Brazilian Confederation, the Brazilian Golf Tourism bureau gathers tourism golf courses, hotels, tourism operators, airlines and services providers.
The Bureau aims, among others, promoting Brazil worldwide as an international golf destination; disseminating golf undertakings among the Brazilians; and, providing support to undertakings in technical, economic-financial and operational aspects to ensure international quality standards that would enable the sector expansion.