Rio - Brazil is expected to close out the year with a tourism sector surplus of close to US$400 million, compared to US$217 million last year.

Between January and October, the surplus reached US$340 million.

"We are hoping for a spike in November and December . The number of tourists coming into the country continues to rise from month to month. As for domestic tourism, it is up 17% for the year. And most important of all, people in the tourism sector have become aware of the fact that you increase income by investing more and creating more jobs," declared minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia.

Agência Brasil
Reporter:Vitor Abdala
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/25/2004