As a popular Canadian destination for Brazilian tourists, Vancouver is poised to gain tourism dollars from a Canada-Brazil air transport agreement signed this week, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).
The agreement, signed as part of the federal government’s Blue Sky policy, is geared toward creating new opportunities for flights between Canada and Brazil. Currently, there is just one direct flight between the two countries, connecting Sao Paolo and Toronto.
Charles McKee, CTC vice-president international, said the agreement will boost Brazilian tourist numbers from last year’s 190,000 and that Vancouver is poised to capitalize on the increase.
“The Brazilian travel trade is very, very aware of Vancouver and B.C. in general,” said McKee, adding Brazil has lots of well-heeled travelers, many of them skiers for whom Whistler is an appealing destination.
In an email interview, Tony Gugliotta, senior vice-president of marketing and business development for Vancouver Airport Authority, commended the new agreement, but didn’t identify any specific gains YVR might see as a result.
“Vancouver Airport Authority welcomes open skies agreements and liberalization to Canada's air policy,” he said. “That being said, from the perspective of YVR as Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway, there is still work to be done to open up routes to Asia – where the majority of future traffic growth is predicted.”
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV