The Tourism Industry of Brazil - Case Study Example

Running Head: Tourists Destination Analysis-Brazil Name Institution Course Professor Date Graphatlas.com : Brazil www.graphatlas.com713 × 535Search by image Map of Brazil with capital, major city and scale in miles and in km Introduction Tourism is an ever growing industry in Brazil, and research shows, Brazil receives about 3 million foreign tourists each year. In recent years, Brazil has become one of the leading countries when it comes to economic growth and today Brazil is considered to have a leading economic power. In several parts of Brazil, tourism is a very important economic activity and for that reason, the country has been considered has being the main worldwide destination to visit in South America. Most of the tourists coming to visit Brazil mostly come from South America but also a good number of tourists that visit Brazil come from the United States of America and Europe. In early times, when the beauty of Brazil was not yet known, very few people used to visit especially those tourists from the neighboring countries. Brazil at the moment is one of the leading tourists’ destinations in the world. Research has shown that thousands of tourists from around the world travel to Brazil year in year out. A wide diversity of natural and cultural fascinations that suit the inspirations of travellers from around the globe lure people to Brazil. The tourism industry of Brazil has made tremendous move in offering a broad range of facilities in its tourism sector in order to meet and satisfy the needs of the every growing number of tourists that travel to Brazil every year. This paper targets at providing an extensive analysis of Brazil as a worldwide tourism destination and to discover the influences of tourism on Brazilian culture and society. It recognizes fascinations that ‘pull’ thousands of tourists to Brazil and considers the reasons that inspire tourists across the world to respond to the ‘pull’ of its attractions. It also records the ways in which the foremost partitions of the tourist industry supply and satisfy the needs of both local and foreign tourists. Brazil’s Natural Environment A provoking brew of modern living and old traditions, Brazil welcomes worldwide tourists with very unique architecture, cuisine, festivals and culture. Brazil is situated on the east-central coast of the Americas Continent. Brazil is inhabited by native Brazilians that comprises of a larger and diverse number of distinct ethnic groups. According to William (1998), the culture of Brazilian culture is one of the most diverse and varied in the world. The reason is that, Brazil was the melting pot of different nationalities, which resulted because of Europeans who dominated Brazil for centuries, as well the activity of slavery which brought crowds of African people to work in Brazil as well as other parts of the American continent (Arthur and Houlot, 1961). Slaves came into Brazil with their own customs and ideas which in one way or another played a role in development of the current culture of Brazil. Slaves from African continent had their own beliefs and many of them considered mountains as their gods. Some consider rivers and forest as holy because they believed that such areas are the dwelling places of their gods. According to Allan, (2002), the settlers from Europe also came into Brazil with totally different ideas, belief systems and innovations which shaped the local societies of Brazil considerably. All these diverse effects mean that Brazilian modern day culture is totally unique and also very multifaceted. Before the arrival of Portuguese, the natives that comprised of quite a number of aboriginal tribes practiced different regions but that that changed because the natives were converted to Catholicism by force. Large parts of Brazil is covered with trees that makes ups the bigger area of amazons forest. No one talks about Brazil without mentioning the amazon. According to Korstanje, (2007), amazon is the biggest rainforest that exist around the global. It is here where eco-tourism is considered to have taken off, and according to Abakerli, (2001), Manaus for a very long time has been the key jumping off spot to the rainforest. Amazon forest for a very long time has also been the main hunting ground for the indigenous or natives of Brazil. This place is where the first people that lived in Brazil considered to the source of food. The natives considered it to have been created for them by the “gods” to act as the source of food for them. The amazon’s rainforest incorporates the northern 3rd of Brazil with its booming river at the fundamental and travel through the amazon basin is in most cases by water. The tremendously current Manaus provides everything from treks into virgin jungle and excursion on the rainforest to multi-day excursions. Iguacu Falls is one place in Brazil that was highly considered sacred by the indigenous inhabitants of Brazil. Most of the ancient inhabitants of Brazil performed their rituals around Iguacu Falls (Allan, 2002). The interior of Brazil consist of the planalto, which refers to an arid upland sheltered by cerrado, a kind of dry Scrub jungle surrounding the Brasilia which is the capital city of Brazil. The Brazilians living along the coastline of north-eastern part of Brazil are practicing sugar cane farming. The north-eastern region has a unique atmosphere-which is more of old-fashioned atmosphere but very rich in afro-brazilian culture and food, quitter beaches and ancient cities. People who love traditional festivals can find lively music in Brazil. Olinda, a nonviolent colonial city is a very popular town in north-eastern part of Brazil. The southern part of Brazil is densely populated and Santa Catarina is a small island in this area which has been the most popular summer holiday last stop. Brazil is situated in the southern hemisphere therefore winter months are June through September and summer months are December through March. The climate of Brazil has been one of the key reason why tourists from around the world are seen flocking in every year. Brazil’s tourism sector usually records low number of tourists during winter season. Notable features of Brazilians The culture of Brazil is a type of culture considered to be the most varied, unique, and diverse in the world. According to Jesupatham, and Seifert-Granzin,(1999), the centuries of slavery and Europeans’ domination in brazil turned the nation of brazil into a melting pot of countless nationalities. An extensive combination of the new and the old combined with the flawless mix of race and ethnicities work to create a multiplicity that gives the nation of Brazil an amazing charisma and welcoming atmosphere. It is widely known as the land of contrasts, or the land of the amazon (Allan, 2002). As Neil puts it, Brazil is a home to beautiful beaches, the largest rainforest in the world, stunning scenery, generous people and distinctive dance and music (Neil, 1983). Brazil is a country of immigrants, an ethical diverse land that has heritage founded on African, North American, Middle Eastern, European and Asian descent. The Brazils culture is totally different from that of the western countries as this is seen in the personality and nature of Brazilian people. Brazilian people are very generous and kind to all people even strangers. They always have a heart that welcomes visitors to their homes for a meal or refreshment. Irrespective of the situation they are in, Brazilians are always in the mood to do whatever they can to provide assistance even if there isn’t much to give. Even with poverty and challenging circumstances, people of Brazil are always optimistic. A bigger percentage of Brazilians practice Christianity, Roman Catholic to be exact, therefore they have a strong faith in God, and according to Allan (2002), it is this faith that withstands them through challenges in life. Brazilians are value relationships over possessions or money (Arthur, and Houlot, 1961). The Brazilians take priority and according to William (1998), family is the centre of their culture. The people of Brazil are physically expressive as it is very common and acceptable to touch someone’s shoulder, arm or hand whenever they are in a discussion. Hugs, kisses, handshakes, or even entering into one’s personal space is an acceptable thing to Brazilians and if a person is not aware that is how Brazilians are, then one might feel so uncomfortable around them. A kiss on the cheek is a very common way Brazilian women greet each other while men shake hands or pat each other on the back. According to Jesupatham, and Seifert-Granzin, (1999), the friendliest people on earth are the Brazilian people. They always start the conversations and especially those about soccer, children and family. To Brazilians, face to face contact is very important and they prefer to do business in person rather than over the email or over the phone. According to Neil, (1983), people from Brazil have a great appreciation for arts comprising of music, dance, literature, theatre, and poetry. Brazil’s Heritage Resources By a simple explanation, heritage basically refers to the property that is or might be inherited by another people and this property could be passed down the line from one age group to the next. It could also mean the achievements, traditions and beliefs that are part of a particular group of people or nation. According to Neil (1998), the only way to experience the heritage of a given tourist destination, travellers must visit museums, view historical monuments, visit art galleries, theme parks and historic houses. Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was completed around the year 1931 and it is 120 feet tall. This Christ statue is the second largest statue of Jesus Christ on earth (Korstanje, 2007). The statue is at the top of Corcovado Hill which is about seven hundred and ten (710) meters above the sea level. Corcovado Hill is part of the famous Tijuca National Park and the Portuguese settler in the 16th century refer the Corcovado Hill as the “mountain of temptation” in honour of the mountain in the bible that bears a similar name. In 1882, a railway that runs to the top of Corcovado Hill was built and it still runs today. People use this railway to ascend to the top of Corcovado Hill where the “Christ the Redeemer” statue is. Tourists from around the world come to Rio de Janeiro every year to experience of what it is like to be around the “Christ the Redeemer” statue at the top of Corcovado Hill. Santuario Dom Bosco is one the sacred places in Brazil which dates back to 1883. It was named after an Italian saint, Dom Bosco who had a dream of a city that would rule justly in future and provide all the needs of the Brazilian people. According to Arthur, and Houlot, (1961), Santuario Dom Bosco outside appearance is a fairly ordinary concrete box, even though the tall lancet window might catch the attention of travellers. The interior of Santuario Dom Bosco shrine is an astounding space. Iguacu Falls is an amazing tourist’s destination in Brazil located at the border between Argentina and Brazil. It is one of the great natural wonders of the world (Arthur, 1961). Salvador which is the capital city of the state of Bahia is an eye-catching colonial town with extraordinary beaches around the city. The Amazonian national park and Amazon River happens to be the most visited tourist’s destination in the world. Allan (2002) refers to it as the most crucial ecosystem existing around the globe, a place to experience great jungle exploration. The History of Tourism in Brazil Even though Portuguese visited the current nation of Brazil around 1500s, it was until late 1600 when gold discovery was made which attracted more visitors to Brazil. According to William (1998), more visitors to the nation of Brazil began to increase around 1940s after “Christ the Redeemer” statue was built at the top of Corcovado Hill. This attracted thousands of people from around the globe who wanted to visit Rio de Janeiro to see the Christ statue. Ever since brazil has been on the spotlight especially because of football stars, the famous amazon rainforest, Iguaçu Falls and the Amazonian National Park which has attracted more tourists. Push factors According to Allan (2002), the “push factors” basically refers to the demographic, social, political, economic, and technological forces that inspire a demand for tourism activity by leaving the consumers with no choice but to leave their usual place of residence and travel to sight-see wonders of the world. Towards the end of 1980s, thousands of tourists from around the world especially from the countries that borders Brazil began visiting Brazil. The level of technology in Brazil had advanced already and the tourist could move around so easily. Another factor that attracted tourists into Brazil is the generosity and the personality that the Brazilians portray to all people at all times (Neil, 1983) Pull factors As William puts it, pull factors refers to the forces that assist in stimulating a particular tourist product by forcing consumers or in this case tourists towards a specific destination (William, 1998). For instance, the stability, accessibility, attractions, services, image, proximity, and affordability are the main forces that attract tourist. The amazing Amazon tropical rain forest has been a talk of the world for several years. The amazing view of Rio de Janeiro city and the statue of Christ at the top of Corcovado Hill are the main reasons that most of the tourists visit this city. Tourists have always participated in the Brazilian ceremonies reason being that the people of Brazil always have a heart to welcome even foreigners to their ceremonies. Possible motivational factors It is very difficult to determine the motivational factors that inspire travellers to visit certain places or do certain things because they are internal factors. Such factors are possible to be known by observing the behaviours of tourists at a given destination. Tourists choose to visit Brazil mainly because of the generosity that the Brazilian people portray. Tourists are amazed by how people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and race could live together in harmony forming a peaceful country (Korstanje, 2007). Activities of Tourists in Brazil The act touring a particular destination, as Korstanje, (2007) puts it, involves two major things; to participate and to sight-see. Participating basically means that the tourists take part in whatever the inhabitants at that particular destination do. Like in the case of Brazilians who love their own traditional music and dancing as well. Sightseeing on the other hand refers to the process of having a chance to see amazing things in the world in person. For instance, having a chance to see the “Christ the Redeemer” statue at the top of Corcovado Hill in Rio de Janeiro is the act of sightseeing. Merchandise The Brazilian people like art work, hence this means that tourists might wish to purchase various types of artwork to take back home as a reminder of their visit to Brazil. According to Neil, (1983), about a hundred gemstones are being produced in Brazil; therefore tourists can purchase a few of them. Tourists can also purchase the products that are made of the typical fruits of Brazil; they include Carambola, Mangaba, Acerola, Acai, Guarana, Graviola, and Cupuacu. With the amazing beaches and longest coastlines on earth, it is reasonable to admit that people who have experience in manufacturing of beach clothings are Brazilians. The Impact of Tourism on Brazilian Society The people of Brazil have experienced various impacts of tourism, both positive and negative (Arthur, and Houlot, 1961). Due to an ever increasing number of tourists in Brazil, the tourism industry has ensured that the Brazilian culture is preserved. The current Brazil has the best hotels and restaurants in the world due to tourism. The economy of Brazil has really grown because of the tourism industry. Tourism also brought negative impact to the people of Brazil as Allan argues that the culture of Brazilian people easily be lost due to acceptable behaviours of tourists. Accommodation in Brazil In Brazil, tourists can never run out of luxurious hotels for accommodation; it is in Brazil where tourists pay for what they can afford. Five-star hotels and resorts have been established in Brazil especially around Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Iguacu Falls, Salvador City and around the great Amazon jungle to meet the demands of the tourists. All the 5-star hotels and resorts have satellite television, spacious grounds, hot water, swimming pools, and air conditioning. The other kinds of accommodation available in Brazil are home-stays. Home-stays the local arrangements made and operated by families. This kind of accommodation gives the tourists a chance to even better their interactions with the local Brazilians (Jesupatham, 1999). Cottages and bungalows are also available and be rented to tourists. Gastronomic Experiences Brazilian cuisine has African, Amerindian and European influences. It differs greatly by area, reflecting the mixture of Brazil’s immigrant and native population. According to Houlot, (1961), Brazil has the best barbecue in South America. Tourists can also enjoy moqueca which is made up of seafood especially fish which is stewed in diced coriander, onions, and tomatoes. Cachaca is also a very popular kind of food in Brazil which tourist should taste before leaving Brazil (Abakerli, 2001). Cachaca dates back to 1500s, and it made from sugarcane juice which is fermented. Transportation People from around the world can get to Brazil by various means. There are both local and international flights (Allan, 2002). Tourists information counter, hotel booking services, duty free shops, automatic teller machines are available in Brazil (Allan, 2002). People can also travel to Brazil and around Brazil by use of train. Cruise ships are also available and can be used to get into Brazil from Atlantic sea. In Brazil, tourists can also enjoy riding on air conditioned buses. Taxis in Brazil are widely used by the tourists who would like to travel to Brazilian countryside. Conclusion Even though tourism has played a major role in the economy growth of Brazil, it has also brought negatives effects to the people of Brazil. Such negative impacts involves introduction of drugs which has quite a number of Brazilian youths. For cultural tourists, Brazil is the place to be as it provides a collection of amazing experiences. For many years, thousands of tourists have explored the amazing tourists’ destination in brazing which has left many speechless such as the Iguacu Falls and the view of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Corcovado Hill. References Abakerli, S.(2001). A Critique of Development and Conservation Policies in Environmentally Sensitive Regions in Brazil: P.551-565 Allan, B.,(2002). A Dictionary of Travel and Tourism Terminology: Wallingford: CAB International Arthur, K., Houlot, H.,(1961). Le Turisme et La Bible. Monaco Coulter, A., and Baker, K., (2007): Tourism: the vulnerability of beach vendors Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Jesupatham, D.S., Seifert-Granzin, J.(1999). Tourism at the Crossroads: Challenges to Developing Countries: New World Trade Order: p.21 Korstanje, M.,(2007). The Origin and Meaning of Tourism: Texas A&M University, US Neil, L.,(1983). An Etymology of Tourism: New York: Pergamon Press William F.,(1998). Global Tourism: Oxford: Butterworth: p.6-7 Read More