LGBT Tourism Chamber responds to Bolsonaro: sector generated US$ 218 billion.
The Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism responded to statements made by President Jair Bolsonaro, who, during an interview, attacked the LGBT community by stating, "Brazil cannot be a country of the gay world, of gay tourism"; "The statement presented contains a serious flaw related to the concept of LGBT Tourism, which does not promote sex tourism," they countered.
247 - Commenting on the embarrassing refusal of the American Museum of Natural History in New York to host the event organized by the Brazil-United States Chamber of Commerce to honor him, President Jair Bolsonaro encouraged sex tourism in the country by stating that "whoever wants to come here to have sex with women, feel free," and attacked the LGBT community by saying "Brazil cannot be a gay country, a gay tourism destination. We have families."
The Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism countered Bolsonaro's statements and emphasized that, in 2018 alone, LGBT tourism generated US$218,7 billion.
"The statement presented contains a serious flaw related to the concept of LGBT Tourism, which does not promote sex tourism. By saying 'Anyone who wants to come here to have sex with a woman, feel free,' the author of the phrase suggests that the Government will encourage sex tourism in Brazilian territory, which is unacceptable from a moral and ethical point of view," the organization's statement counters.
The LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism also highlights that countries such as Israel, Spain, France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Argentina, and Uruguay are making constant investments in LGBT tourism as a way to boost business, as well as to affirm and respect citizenship.
A survey by the Brazilian Association of Tourism for Gays, Lesbians and Sympathizers (Abrat-GLT) also contradicts Bolsonaro's discourse. According to the study, the LGBT public spends on average three times more on tourist trips, staying 2,5 times longer on average than heterosexual tourists. According to the survey, the LGBT public has a greater consumption potential, as it presents a lifestyle different from that of heterosexuals.
Check out the statement from the LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
Sao Paulo, April 25, 2019
Open Letter to Society
In response to information published by the Brazilian press, containing the phrase "Anyone who wants to come here to have sex with a woman, feel free. Now, it can't become known as a gay paradise here," attributed to the President of the Republic, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism of Brazil hereby clarifies:
LGBT tourism generated USD 218,7 billion in 2018, according to data from the LGBT Travel Market survey, conducted annually by the consulting firm Out Now/WTM.
Countries such as Israel, Spain, France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Argentina, and Uruguay, among many others, are constantly investing in LGBT tourism as a way to boost business, as well as to affirm and respect citizenship.
The statement presented contains a serious flaw related to the concept of LGBT tourism, which does not promote sex tourism. By saying "Anyone who wants to come here to have sex with a woman, feel free," the author suggests that the government will encourage sex tourism in Brazilian territory, which is unacceptable from a moral and ethical standpoint.
The Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and the country's LGBTI+ population repudiate prejudice and consider tourism a lucrative activity that promotes employment, improves the country's image abroad, and reaffirms Brazil's commitment to defending equal rights.
Preventing visits by the LGBTI+ community to Brazil, besides being a serious attack on universal rights, would prevent USD 26,8 billion from entering the Brazilian economy (OUT/WTM 2018 research), contributing to unemployment and undermining Brazil's international relations with countries that value democracy and the end of prejudice.
The Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, an entity that defends and promotes entrepreneurship, employability, and tourism for and by the LGBTI+ community in Brazil, reaffirms its commitment to income generation and combating the economic and institutional crisis in the country. We reaffirm our commitment to LGBT Tourism by confirming the holding of the International Conference on Diversity and LGBT Tourism (August 25-28, 2019 in the city of São Paulo), as well as the continuation of activities undertaken with society, including the Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the LGBT Chamber, EMBRATUR, and the Ministry of Tourism in May 2018, valid for five years.
Best Regards,
LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism of Brazil