Brazil is one of the most inequitable countries in the world and has long been a top global tourist destination- can the tourism industry be shifted to perpetuate equality or is it part of the problem?
Tourism is one of the most lucrative and quickly expanding sectors in Brazil's economy. Despite the tremendous touristic appeal of Afro-Brazilian cultural patrimonies, such as capoeira, candomble, samba and cuisine, the tourism sector's revenues have done little to mitigate disproportionate poverty affecting Afro-Brazilians. Afro-Brazilians comprise 49% of Brazil's population, yet they are twice as likely to live below the poverty line. Over 40% of Afro-Brazilians live below the national poverty line and Afro-Brazilians comprise 66% of households in the favelas. With regards to gender, Brazil also displays similar gaps in women’s remuneration and disproportionate presence in the informal sector. Ironically, the this feminized poverty feeds cycles of poverty and prostitution, which is a major draw for the tourist industry. But all of that is shifting- as Brazil becomes the economic powerhouse of the Southern hemisphere, it has made vast strides in reducing inequality. A Secretariat for Racial Equality and a Secretariat for Policies for Women have released innovative programs, ranging from training to credit to federal policies.
And the role of tourism may be shifting as well. Under Brazil's Growth Acceleration Plan, the government has committed to investment in sustainable and eco-friendly urban development and slum upgrading, thus creating a plethora of jobs in construction, education and social services, often for low-income people. These investments can also be vital to bringing tourism to untapped markets which have tremendous socio-cultural richness, including favelas and peripheral areas and rural areas with their own topographic richness.
Since Rio de Janeiro was awarded both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, the city has unrolled a comprehensive revitalization plan, which will develop many low-income areas, promote green construction and provide training in tourism, hospitality, foreign languages and IT for the local population.
In various capacities, state and local government are working to ensure that women and diverse ethnic groups are well-represented and take advantage of these opportunities. New metro and transport routes will be availed in favelas and other low-income areas, expanding access to jobs.
For a long time, tourism seemed to feed off Brazil’s inequalities, particularly commercial sexual exploitation- but that truly seems to be shifting. Favelas and low-income communities are asserting their cultural value added, and marketing fashion and crafts to tourists and even exporting them to major brands (see Moda Fusion for an example). Government, particularly SEBRAE (the Brazilian SBA) is helping by not only providing training, but establishing SME Handicrafts centers in central locations. Even hostels and eco-tourism centers have already been opened privately in the favelas, and now the government will be finding ways to support these types of investment. The most interesting thing about this shift is the collaborative interaction between investors, the private sector, government and communities that seems to be going on in Rio. Can tourism be a boon to better income distribution in Brazil? Let’s check again in 2016.
