Rio welcomes first visa-free tourists

The first visa-free tourists from the US landed Monday (Jun 14) at Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport. The waiver was brought into effect this week, and is also valid for visitors from Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Brazil’s Tourism Minister Marcelo Álvaro Antônio said the government expects the waiver to increase the inflow of tourists from these countries and to bring at least $257 million to the economy every year. The minister described the day as “historic for tourism in Brazil.”

The minister pointed out that the change had been a demand made by the tourist sector for over 15 years. Some of the Americans that arrived today came without a visa, he said, and some say they have come exactly because a visa was not required. “This comes to the benefit of the Brazilian economy. In the medium run, this initiative is bound to generate employment and income in our country, provided the necessary investment is made.”

Conmebol Copa América

Among the tourists benefited by the waiver are Bryan and Aline Smith, father and daughter, who plan to watch the Copa América games. “I really liked the convenience, and I plan the US makes it more simple as well and implement the visa waiver there. I hope to come again, depending on how this stay turns out,” Smith said.

A first-time visitor in the country, Aline said she was looking forward to seeing the beauties of Rio. “I hope to see new and exciting things in the city, the beaches and the Copa América matches.”

Spreading the word

Brazilians were reported to have spent $18.2 billion overseas last year, whereas foreigners brought $5.9 billion to the country—a $12.3 billion deficit for Brazil.

Minister Álvaro Antônio said a campaign will be launched to spread the word about the waiver in the countries reached by the move. “The campaign is ready, at first to the US, and now we’re holding talks with the economic staff to conduct it in Canada, Japan, and Australia as well.”

The electronic visa, effective since last year for the same countries benefited by the waiver, has raised the number of visitors from the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia by 15.73 percent, with $115 million being injected into the economy.