SCENARIOS AND PROJECTIONS FOR TOURISM AND GAMING IN 2024

We can confidently say that tourism is among the main growth sectors in Brazil and worldwide. Numerous global studies confirm that new generations prefer to travel and experience new things rather than, for example, buying a car as one of their dream purchases. Even generations like the "Baby Boomers, X, and Y" prioritize tourism for improving their quality of life, and with the established phenomenon of social media, everyone posts about their travels, sharing their experiences and strengthening their social status.

According to the UNWTO, Brazil ranks first in the world in potential natural resources for tourism. We have a population/potential tourism market of over 203 million inhabitants (IBGE census 2022), which currently does not reach 30% of its total. We have a welcoming population, favorable exchange rates that strengthen domestic consumption and increase exports, and we also have well-established tourism products in all states.

Tourism in Brazil is beginning to have public policies aimed at generating revenue and jobs, with examples across the country of legislation creating tourist districts, as well as expanding municipalities by incorporating tourism master plans, tourism inventories, and demand research, which will enable sustainable growth in our market in the coming years.

Tourism/real estate projects, such as timeshares, have led to an increase in the supply and structural quality of hotel and entertainment products, especially in leisure tourism destinations, with more than 500 launches planned for 2024. An example is the APM Resort in Caieiras-SP, with 300 rooms and a convention center for 1,200 people. The tourism production chain will reach an offer in 2024 of more than 580,000 hotel rooms, 1.6 million rental vehicles, 40,000 travel agencies and tour operators, 80 theme and nature parks, more than 2.7 million restaurants and bars, more than 3,000 event centers, among other tourism products (data compiled from the main tourism entities).

Thus, in 2024, we can project that these scenarios regarding tourism in Brazil point to growth rates of more than 7.5% in the leisure market compared to 2023, and with the consolidation of the return of events and fairs, the corporate destination market has projected growth of 5%.

At the end of 2023, Presidential Decree 3626/23, concerning Sports Betting and Online Casinos, was approved. IDT-CEMA estimates that the revenue from this sports betting market has the potential to reach almost R$ 100 billion in Brazil within the next 3 years, generating approximately R$ 12 billion in taxes. From these collected taxes, we can increase competitiveness and tourism promotion, as 28% will be allocated to the tourism sector through the Ministry of Tourism. This year, projects integrating sports betting and online casinos will begin in hotel developments, theme parks, and restaurants, creating new sales points and revenue streams through participation in remuneration or merchandising, with projections that could reach 1% to 15% of the total revenue of the establishment.

The next approval expected this year, of Law 442/91 on Integrated Casino Resorts, Tourist Casinos and Bingo Halls, anticipates the inflow of USD 70 billion in national and international investments, which will directly activate the real estate, construction, furniture, decoration, technology, and industrial markets; subsequently, professional training will be provided through academia and educational institutions; and then the operation will take shape, boosting Brazil as a destination across its 52 tourism segments.

The EXPOTEL Fair will take place on April 24th and 25th, 2024, at the Frei Caneca Convention Center in São Paulo, where case studies, trends, and strategic discussions for the hospitality, gastronomy, gaming, casino, sustainability, diversity, accessibility, management, and tourism sectors will be presented at the III FHORESP Meeting, the XIV SEHGA, and the III BOGEC.