Brazil’s tourism sector up 47.5% in May, despite US$971 million drop in the year
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tourism revenues in Brazil in May reached R$9.6 (US$1.8) billion, up 47.5% over the same month in 2020, as shown in a survey by the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo (FecomercioSP).
Despite the sharp rise, the sector accumulates a 9.8% contraction in the year-to-date, representing a R$5.1 billion (US$971 million) revenue slump.

Comparing May this year with the same month in 2019 – before the pandemic – the drop in revenue in the sector, considering inflation, stands at 31.2%, down R$4.3 billion.
In May, only water transportation surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a 20% rise in revenue compared to the same month in 2019. FecomercioSP analyzed 6 activity groups.
On the other hand, air transport remains the most affected, with a loss of 50.5% in revenue compared to May 2019. The drop in passenger demand reached 43% over the same period.
The catering and accommodation sectors invoiced R$2.8 billion, 33.5% less than the figure posted for the same month in 2019. The slump is close to that of cultural, recreational, and sporting activities, down 33.8%.
The group comprising vehicle activities, tour agencies and operators and other services in the area posted a 13.2% decrease in revenue in May compared to the same period in 2019. The land transportation sector posted a 6.6% drop.
“Although the scenario is challenging, with a long way to recover pre-pandemic levels, the Federation believes that initiatives such as the easing of restrictions, increased offers of touristic services and the acceleration of vaccination nationwide are key to a gradual and more consistent improvement in the sector henceforth,” FecomercioSP said in a statement.
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Brazil — Live Market Board
+1.39%
168,498.45
+1.39%
71,393.57
+0.43%
10,536.54
+0.68%
2,848,945
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2,485.26
+0.03%
| Instrument | Last | Change | YoY | Prev. | High | Low | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBOV | 168,498.45 | +1.39% | +9.89% | 166,191.45 | — | — | — |
| USD/BRL | 5.51 | -0.03% | +3.27% | 5.51 | 5.51 | 5.50 | — |
| SELIC | 13.75% | — | — | — | — | — | |
| PETR4 | 45.36 | +0.00% | +46.28% | 45.36 | 45.36 | — | — |
| VALE3 | 64.04 | +0.00% | -2.23% | 64.04 | 64.04 | — | — |
| ITUB4 | 40.53 | +0.00% | +4.03% | 40.53 | 40.53 | — | — |
| BBDC4 | 14.20 | +0.00% | -24.10% | 14.20 | 14.20 | — | — |
| BBAS3 | 17.13 | +0.00% | -25.07% | 17.13 | 17.13 | — | — |
| B3SA3 | 14.39 | +0.00% | +9.85% | 14.39 | 14.39 | — | — |
| ABEV3 | 15.48 | +0.00% | +18.35% | 15.48 | 15.48 | — | — |
| WEGE3 | 48.19 | +0.00% | +9.75% | 48.19 | 48.19 | — | — |
| PRIO3 | 60.48 | +0.00% | +57.25% | 60.48 | 60.48 | — | — |
| SUZB3 | 53.40 | +2.12% | +9.76% | 52.29 | 53.42 | 50.10 | 13,908,400 |
| RENT3 | 30.29 | +0.00% | -26.39% | 30.29 | 30.29 | — | — |
| AZZA3 | 14.76 | +4.98% | -47.66% | 14.06 | 15.19 | 13.80 | 4,143,600 |
| CSNA3 | 4.41 | +0.00% | -48.12% | 4.41 | 4.41 | — | — |
| GGBR4 | 24.15 | +0.00% | +26.31% | 24.15 | 24.15 | — | — |
| ENEV3 | 26.84 | +0.00% | +40.16% | 26.84 | 26.84 | — | — |
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