Brazil’s tourism minister has submitted plans to cancel the requirement for a tourist visa in the 90 days prior to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, and for some time afterwards.
Speaking at World Travel Market today, Henrique Eduardo Alves’s announcement was met with applause.
Travellers from many countries are required to apply for a visa to enter Brazil, including the USA, which is Brazil’s second-largest market.
Alves said a bill is going to be submitted requesting the change for the approval of the country’s president.
He said: “For us this is a very important thing. It doesn’t mean reciprocity agreements are being broken but we believe it is a very first step which we hope in the future will be expanded. This will be a very important thing for Brazilian tourism.”