Tourism in Brazil: the strategy of spatial expansion and its problems

Abstract

Even though the way in which it occurs has not been fully explained, the development of tourism in Brazil, since the middle of the 1990s, has been governed by a strategy of strong spatial expansion together with the introduction of numerous resorts. Based on a brief history of the development of the sector in the country, this article analyzes the motives and problems related to this strategy. The argument made in this analysis is that this strategy is based on a very debatable premise. Namely, that tourism is a natural vocation of Brazil, which would enable a rapid and easy development of the sector. The conclusions of the analysis demonstrate the fragility of this premise, revealing the need for more elaborate public policies for the effective development of the sector in the country. Key words: Tourism in Brazil; Tourism Strategy; Spatial Expansion; Resorts.