Brazil's Ministry of Tourism opened a new application process on Monday (30 March) for agencies interested in serving Chinese tourists. The initiative comes at a time when Brazil is considering the adoption of a reciprocal visa requirement regime, given that China exempted Brazilian citizens from this obligation last year.

The measure aims to improve the quality of the country's tourism offering with a view to attracting this strategic market. The public tender is aimed at travel and tourism agencies wishing to operate in the planning and reception of groups from China. The selection results are expected to be published on 27 April, both in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) and on the Ministry of Tourism's portal. The selected companies will be authorised to operate for a period of one year.

According to the Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Feliciano, "this initiative represents another step in the internationalisation strategy of Brazilian tourism, by creating conditions to increase the presence of Chinese visitors in the country and strengthen bilateral co-operation." The minister added that, by promoting the qualification and organisation of the sector, the Ministry is helping to make Brazil better prepared to receive tourists from different parts of the world.

(Source: Ministry of Tourism of Brazil, on 31 March)