Members mvan1 Posted May 12, 2015 Members Posted May 12, 2015 A dozen years ago, it was rare to see more than a few Brazilians on flights between the U.S. and Brazil. Then, about five years ago or so, the Brazilian economy expanded. A new group of "middle class" was formed and those people were given credit cards by major Brazilian banks. The change to "middle class" status created a lot of opportunities for Brazilians that were never before available to the general rank and file Brazilians . Some of the fallout to the increase in "middle class" was a drop in the number of former and new garotos in the saunas. During the high point of the "middle class" it was usual to see at least half of each flight between the U.S. and Brazil filled with Brazilians. However, during the past year, there are noticeably fewer Brazilians aboard flights between the U.S. and Brazil. Wouldn't you know, there is a study for just about everything, including why Brazilians are taking their vacations within Brazil rather than taking foreign vacations. Here is an interesting article that discusses a little of the above. Of course, the article does not discuss the changes to the rent boy saunas. Those in the know are aware of those statistics. http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-business/more-brazilians-opting-for-domestic-travel/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRioTimes+%28The+Rio+Times%29 Quote
Members MsGuy Posted May 12, 2015 Members Posted May 12, 2015 Mvan1, do you think that the drop off in Brazilian passengers might account at least in part for the bargain rate travel specials airlines have been offering on America/Brazil routes? (as discussed in another thread) mvan1 1 Quote
Members mvan1 Posted May 12, 2015 Author Members Posted May 12, 2015 Mvan1, do you think that the drop off in Brazilian passengers might account at least in part for the bargain rate travel specials airlines have been offering on America/Brazil routes? (as discussed in another thread) While it is possible that some of the decrease in Brazilian passengers is attributable to bargain airfare specials, there is no getting around the fact that unemployment in Brazil, together with the devalued Brazilian currency, are the major causes of less Brazilian passengers on the planes between the U.S. and Brazil and vice versa. Economies are somewhat like a teeter-totter. One economy goes up while another goes down. And, the changes continue. That is just the way things are. A dozen years ago, Americans (and some from other countries) could visit Brazil for little money. Hotels, food (and garotos) were dirt cheap. Then, the Brazilian economy improved and things became expensive for Americans and other tourists. Many Americans stopped visiting Brazil, totally. Prices in hotels tripled or quadrupled, food in restaurants tripled or quadruped and so forth, as did other commodities and necessities that are found in Brazil. The only thing that did not triple or quadruple is the price asked by garotos. The price of garotos has increased a little but no where near the rate of inflation. Despite that small increase, most garotos are pleased with what they earn because the money they earn is far greater than what they would make if they had a conventional job, or no job at all. Although prices for most things in Brazil have increased, this is partially offset by the current favorable exchange rate to foreigners for the local currency. By no means does the favorable exchange rate cancel out the inflation that took place over the past decade. Once again, the teeter-totter has made visiting Brazil a bargain. The present air fare war only adds to the savings for visiting Brazil. lookin 1 Quote