The Brazilian stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London was today opened by the country’s tourism minister, Marta Suplicy, and the president of Embratur, Jeanine Pires.

Also present was the captain of Brazil's famous 1970 World Cup-winning football team, Carlos Alberto, reflecting the way in which the hosting of the 2014 World Cup will be used to promote tourism.

Those working on the stand include representatives from hotels, airlines and tour operators, as well as officials from state and municipal authorities representing specific tourist destinations.

The Brazilian Government hopes that during 2007 there will have been 5.5 million foreign visitors to the country, which would represent a 10% increase in relation to 2006.

In 2006 around 170,000 British people travelled to Brazil, which puts the United Kingdom in eleventh place in the ranking of countries of origin of foreign visitors.

Source: Ministry of Tourism and Embassy of Brazil in London