Tourist destinations are betting on a resumption of movement during the July holidays

Room in a beach house. (Photo: Pixabay)

BY: ISA STACCIARINI

After almost a year and a half of the pandemic, the July holidays arrive with good expectations for the tourism sector. With part of the population getting vaccinated and with the downward trend in deaths from Covid-19, this month's recess turns into high season. States such as Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and Ceará, for example, expect an occupancy of 50% in hotels. The demand for travel at agencies grew by 20% compared to December last year and practically 100% compared to July 2020, at the height of isolation.

To try to control the number of people and avoid crowds, some cities have restricted the number of visitors. In the state of Paraíba, bars and restaurants can only operate with 50% occupancy. Hotels also limited occupancy to up to 80%. The president of PBTur, Ruth Avelino, emphasizes that it is important for tourists to respect the rules.

“What we always appeal to and always reinforce is that it is no use just for the government, city hall or business community to adopt the measures. It is very important that the visitor, the tourist, does their part. Wear a mask, keep your distance, even if he is fully vaccinated, it cannot be easier. These are the precautions that are being adopted and we are super optimistic about this recovery”, he emphasizes.

In Rio de Janeiro, some hotels adopted alternating breakfast times and occupancy limits in leisure areas. The president of Hotéis Rio, Alfredo Lopes, said that on weekends the occupancy rate is around 65%, which represents a recovery in demand.

“Rio de Janeiro is perhaps one of the cities that is recovering the fastest from this crisis caused by the pandemic in hotel occupancy. I would say that not only in the city, but also in the interior, this recovery should take place during this month of July”, he highlights.

The most popular destinations for July have been the Northeast, Serra Gaúcha, such as Gramado, and Rio de Janeiro. Tourists have opted for resorts that have a more open area and leisure and food options within the complex. This is the case of businessman Anderson Felipe Costa, 43 years old. He looked for a hotel with a large area when booking a vacation trip to Arraial d'Ajuda, with his wife.

“It’s not going to be possible to go to all the restaurants, in places where there are crowds. The idea is to stay longer at the inn. We chose the inn because it is a place where there is a structure inside so we don't have to go out too much. I think that’s the meaning”, he highlights.

Another option for families has been traveling by car and even within the state. In Alto Paraíso de Goiás, the main tourist destination for Brasilia residents, the municipality restricted the number of visitors to parks and waterfalls to 40%. In hotels and guesthouses, the maximum capacity is 65%. The Secretary of Tourism, Luciana Amado, said that the majority of tourists are from nearby cities.

“With the pandemic, domestic tourism grew a lot. We have had many visitors from cities close to Chapada. That's why we reduced the capacity of attractions to 40% and accommodation facilities to 65%, to control this immense flow”, he explains.

For the sector, the month of July will serve as a preview of the resumption of tourism for the second half of the year. With the government's promise to vaccinate the entire adult population by the end of the year, representatives from the area are planning a movement similar to before the pandemic. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, Mayor Eduardo Paes has already announced the possibility of resuming the traditional New Year's Eve on the sands of Copacabana.

Source: CBN