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BRAZIL AND THE NETHERLANDS

One doesn’t need a History degree or to have partly spent one’s life in the Northeast of Brazil – as was my case – to acknowledge and praise the immense contribution that the Netherlands has always given to the development of Brazil. Great names such as Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, “the Brazilian” (known by every Brazilian as “Maurício de Nassau”), Frans Post and Albert Eckhout  will be forever engraved in our national memory and culture.

Our bilateral relations, which date back to the XVIIth century, always took place in a mutually beneficial manner, be it in the political arena, in trade relations and, specially, in the tourism front. This common heritage of our two peoples is increasing year after year. From the 18th place (2001) as provider of tourists for Brazil, Holland reached the 12th place in 2003. Since then, this position was maintained, but always with an increase in the number of tourists.

Our research on International Tourism Demand (2004-2005) shows that Dutch tourists come to Brazil predominantly for leisure and are in 3rd place in terms of the period of the stay – an average of 15,5 days (2005) -, just behind Italy and the United Kingdom . Holland is also among the 10 countries with highest average spenditure per capita. Thus we can say that, by doing so, Holland contributes meaningfully to the creation of jobs and revenue in our tourism sector.

Fortunately, Brazil is able to offer exactly what Dutch tourists pursue most on their holidays: a combination of culture, adventure and ecotourism destinations. Furthermore, they take home lovely memories of the Brazilian gastronomy, which, for its richness and diversity, is unique in the world. Not to mention the hospitality and cheerfulness of Brazilians!  For all of this, we hope that this long-standing friendship will remain as firm and prosperous as in the last 400 years.

Jeanine Pires
President of EMBRATUR
Brazilian Institute of Tourism