Pedro Novais has resigned as minister of tourism in Brazil following a string of corruption allegations. The news follows the recent arrest of 30 tourism officials and business leaders - including deputy tourism minister Frederico Silva da Costa.

The next five years are set to belong to Brazil; with Rio de Janeiro set to host the Olympic Games in 2014 and the country as a whole gearing up to welcome the FIFA World Cup in 2016. However, corruption allegations at the national tourism ministry and question marks over construction programmes have left some wondering whether the country is up to the challenge. BTN here sits down with Embratur director of products & destinations, Marco Lomanto, to see where the country stands.

Tapping into the potential of the BRIC economies was one of the key discussion points of Summit Day One of the WTTC Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Las Vegas. China, India and Brazil are fuelling an explosion in international tourism, delivering rich rewards for countries that are prepared, but trouble for those that aren’t.

Brazil is paving the way to open its aviation industry up to foreign ownership, in a move aimed at attracting much-needed infrastructure improvements in the build-up to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

The battle to host the 2018 World Cup has been the overriding theme at this year’s Soccerex, which is being hosted in Rio de Janeiro for the first time.

Even a sharp global downturn has failed to dampen Brazil’s booming economy, and its tourism industry in particular has emerged tougher than ever. This weekend sees the spotlight turn to Sao Paulo as its famous Interlagos circuit plays host to the 39th Brazil Formula One Grand Prix.