Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism says 2019 was the best year for visitation to the country, with about 6 million international travelers making the trip. But that’s not good enough for Tourism Minister Marcelo Alvaro Antonio, who is pressing the government to approve legal integrated resorts with casinos to boost the sector.
Even Iran had more tourists than Brazil last year—7 million, according to Games Magazine Brasil. The government of President Jair Bolsonaro hopes to double the number of visitors to Brazil, reaching 12 million by 2022.
“What we are looking for is the implementation of integrated resorts,” said the minister. “This is what really matters to tourism. We are not looking to legalize activities like bingo or slot machines. Just to give you an idea, at least 93 percent of OECD-linked countries already have so-called integrated resorts, and over 95 percent of developed countries around the world have also taken this measure. So, it is a reality in the world.”
Acknowledging that there will be backlash from some corners, including the clergy, he said, “This is still a topic that needs to be much debated with the Brazilian parliament and with society. It is a discussion that needs to involve the Federal Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy, through the IRS, to build together the best model for Brazil.”
