Brazil is definitely an up-and-comer. With 196 million people making their home there, it has the world’s 10^th largest economy in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). That economy is growing annually at a rate of 5%, and economic forecasts predict it will be the world’s fifth largest economy by 2025, overtaking traditional powerhouses such as France and the UK.

That’s a lot of peeps and a lot of cash. A new report by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s Research department looks at what these factors mean for Canada. Consumer and Trade Research in Brazil takes a close look at the demographics, socio-cultural characteristics, travel motivations and future travel interests of existing and potential Brazilian long-haul pleasure travellers. It also measures Canada’s overall image and what Brazilians think of Canada as a travel destination.

Here’s some key data:

• The estimated size of the long-haul travel market in Brazil is 14.9 million, or 9% of the population.

• Of these travellers, 42% say they are interested in travelling to Canada in the next two years.

• Price is the prime consideration for travellers aged between 31 and 44, while length of trip is the ace in the hole for 18- to 30-year-olds.

• Overall, Brazilians tend to take long trips, averaging 18 nights.

• Travel trade still plays a big role: 54% used a travel agent to make their most recent long-haul trip.

• In the future, the Internet will likely grow quickly to take on a bigger role, as focus groups indicated limited travel-agent knowledge.

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Tourism Toronto and Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation partnered with CTC on this fact-finding exercise. TNS Canadian Facts and TNS Brazil conducted the research between September and December 2009.

 Read the Consumer and Trade Research in Brazil report in full.