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2.9.4

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Radio

Radio is still a popular form of entertainment and

news reporting. The main stations are:

Radio Nacional operated by Radiobras;

Globo Radio commercial networks operated by
Globo;

Radio Eldorado affiliated to O Estado de Sao
Paulo newspaper;

Radio Bandeirantes network operated by Grupo
Bandeirantes; and

Radio Cultura public, cultural programmes.
2.9.5

Internet

The growing importance of the internet is illustrated

by the following:

The Internet is important

There were 42.6 million Internet users in Brazil

(representing 22.4% of the population) at
December 31, 2007, according to Internet World
Stats. While the population penetration rate is
relatively low, Brazil still has the most internet
users in Latin America.

Almost
of Brazilians
use the Internet

Brazil has the third largest number of broadband

lines in the Americas, behind only the United
States and Canada, according to Point Topic.

Some 40% of Brazilian adults use the internet
from home, 30% from a public access location
(such as an internet caf) and the remainder when
at work or school (Source: Ipsos Public Affairs
survey).

2.10 The Travel Trade

2.10.1 Distribution Channels
The travel trade in Brazil still plays a very important
role in the consumers choice of travel destination,
but, according to VisitBritain (knowledge on territory)
travel trends continue to move away from package
tours toward independent travel, with only 45% of
international travellers using a travel agency to
organise their trips. Over 56% of all trips are part of
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an escorted tour with 40% FIT. There is also a highly

competitive specialised student and educational travel
trade sector.
2.10.2 Travel Agents
There are approximately 10,000 travel agencies in
Brazil, of which around 3,000 (responsible for 80% of
the national market) are members of the Associacao
Brasileira de Agencias de Viagens (ABAV). Most are
small, independent businesses, making them
vulnerable to any change in demand. Only about 65
have international sales above $1 million. Increased
operating costs are leading to closures or mergers
with larger agencies and operators.
Two of the countrys leading retailers - Carrefour and
C&A - have recently launched a chain of travel shops
in Brazil. One of Brazils largest tour operators
(CVC) intends to open 100 outlets under the
Carrefour Tourism brand name, while C&A works
closely with TAM Viagens, another major Brazilian
tour operator. Carrefour and C&A also run financial
programmes that permit customers to pay for airline
tickets or holiday packages in installments.
2.10.3 Tour Operators
The main players are as follows:

ADV Viagens e Turismo;

CVC;

Queensberry Viagens e Turismo;

Soft Travel;

TAM Viagens; and

New Age and Agaxtur.
The majority of operators are located in So Paulo,
and the main planning cycle is September to
November, to be ready for the following spring.
2.10.4 Trade Fairs
The main travel and tourism trade shows in Brazil are
as follows:

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