Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is planning to open an office in Brazil in a bid to attract visitors from the growing South American tourism market.

The announcement was made at the World Travel Market Latin America in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Hilal Saeed Al Merri, director general of the DTCM and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Brazil is Dubai’s primary business partner in Latin America. So, in delivering our strategy to increase visitor numbers from the region, it was the natural location of choice for our first South American representative office.

“Trade between Brazil and the UAE is increasing exponentially and with the connectivity Emirates provides, there is significant potential to grow this market. By opening this office, we hope to double the number of visitors from Brazil from 40,000 in 2012 to 80,000 in 2014.” He added.

Dubai welcomed approximately 40,000 visitors from Brazil last year.