Jetsettersblog

The 31 tour operators that are members of the Brazil Tour Operators Association (BTOA) are promoting themselves in the American market with the BTOA Brazil Now Visa Pass, a coupon book with discounts and special offers at restaurants, hotels, spas, jewelry stores, antique shops, entertainment venues and other retailers and service providers in Brazil worth substantially more than the $140 visa fee.

The discounts being offered by 36 establishments include Copacabana Palace Hotel, 20 percent discount on spa treatments for two; Ipanema Plaza Hotel, 20 percent off restaurant and a free welcome drink; Porto Bay Rio International, L’Hotel Porto Bay Sao Paulo and Porto Bay Glenzhaus, 10 percent off food and beverages; Pestana Hotels, complimentary late check-out and free welcome drink at eight properties; Lapa 40 Graus Sinuca & Gafieira Samba Club, 20 percent off entrance fee; Azul Marinho, Brazileirinho and Casa da Feijoada Restaurants, 20 percent off dining; Cais do Oriente and Castro Aviles Restaurant at the Mar Palace Hotel, 15 percent off dining; Arena Copacabana Hotel, 10 percent off dining at the Fennel Restaurant; Rio Surf n Stay, 10 percent off surfing lessons, accommodations or packages; Felice Cafe, Fellini, La Fiducia and Via Sete Restaurants, free caipirinhas or ice teas; and Hard Rock Café, free dessert with purchase of two entrees.

Brazil is showing up in travel surveys as one of the hot destinations for 2011. Since the announcements that the country will be hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, the destination has become more visible to more Americans.

But to many Americans, Brazil is still unknown territory. It’s a huge country — the fifth largest in the world — spanning some 3.2 million square miles.

Its 4,655-mile coastline boasts thousands of secluded beaches and luxurious or laid-back resorts. How can Americans figure out where to go?

“Because Brazil is such a vast country it’s important that first-time visitors work with a professional travel counselor,” said Adam Carter, president of BTOA.

“Our members are all seasoned travel professionals — many accredited by IATA — and all are recognized experts about the country.” First-time visitors want to see Rio de Janeiro. Next on the list are two of the world’s natural wonders — Iguassu Falls and the Amazon.

Other points of interest include Bahia, Brasilia, São Paulo or the charming state of Minas Gerais.

This winter, BTOA members are offering a number of price-focused packages to Brazil. All BTOA members pay commission to travel agents. BTOA’s 30 active members are AAT (American Adventure Tours), Abreu Tours, Air Projects, Avanti Destinations, Borello Travel & Tours, Brazil Nuts Tours, BVC (Brazilian Vacation Center), Brendan Vacations, BROL (Brazil Online Travel), Chanteclair Travel, Cox and Kings USA, Discover Brazil Tours, Dumonde Travel, Fredson Travel, Globo Travel & Tours, Globus Family of Brands, Latour, HOTUR/Just Brazil, Marnella Tours, Only Latin America, PanAmerican Travel Service, Skyline Travel, SITA World Tour, Tauck World Discovery, Travel 2 Brazil, Travel Impressions, Tourlite International, Vip Tour Group, Visit Brazil Tours and Yampu Tours.

Americans traveling to Brazil do need visas, and agents can learn more from the Brazil Tour Operators Association.

For more information on BTOA, email

admin@braziltouroperators.org

or go to www.braziltouroperators.org
.