Australia, Sweden, Denmark and the United States were the countries that registered the largest increase of interest in Brazil during the period of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, according to research by Trivago, one of the biggest search platforms for hotels around the world. South America, with a trend of intraregional tourism, also emerges in the study: 25% of searches made by Argentines and Uruguayans for the season is for hotel options in Brazil. Out of the period, the numbers fall to 15% and 20%, respectively.
The study, which took into account the searches carried out between the months of November 2015 and February 2016, examined the preference of users from different countries. The result is that the interest in Brazil grew in 2016, especially during the Olympics, when compared to the behavior of users in the previous year. With competitions of different types in the region, Barra da Tijuca is the favorite place of 74% of those looking for hotels in Rio de Janeiro during this period.
Additionally, the dates that recorded the most searches were between August 12th and 14th, when there are track and field events. The second most popular period, according to Trivago, is between August 19th and 21st, already in the final stretch of the competition, while the 3rd most sought dates occurs between August 5th, the beginning of the games, and August 7th.
For Gilson Lira, the director of Competitive Intelligence and Tourist Promotion of Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board), the research confirms the estimate that the Olympics will attract between 300 and 500 thousand international tourists to Rio. “We are optimistic about the great flow of visitors to the Games. With the appreciation of the dollar, foreigners tend to extend their travel and visit other Brazilian destinations. With greater permanence of this public, the industry earns more revenue,” adds Lira.
Cariocas flee to Paraty and Gramado
When analyzing only the searches done in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the data show that the locals who want to escape the city at this time are looking more for destinations in Paraty (RJ) and Gaamado (RS). The third most sought city is Rio de Janeiro itself, followed by Fortaleza and Porto de Galinhas. Natal, Buzios, Campos do Jordao, Maceio and Arraial do Cabo close the list of the 10 most searched.
Intraregional tourism
The research confirms the potential of intraregional tourism in South America. For the first time in history, the continent will host the Games, which has historical importance for the region and for the Olympic movement. As was done for the World Cup 2014, the Brazilian Tourist Board has made a huge effort to increase the tourist flow of South Americans and also to attract visitors to the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
