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.

The number of international tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro increased by 8% in 2010 compared with the previous year, according to a study conducted by Embratur, the Brazilian Tourism Board. The city received 1.61 million foreign visitors last year, compared with 1.49 million in 2009, an increase of 120,000 people and the highest level of international tourists in the last five years.

With hosting rights to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, Brazilian tourism has never had it so good. But this week’s gang battles in Rio have highlighted its toughest challenge – safety, and whether the city’s image of beautiful beaches and non-stop parties will be overshadowed by favela violence.

Safety concerns in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics have been raised after 35 tourists staying at the luxury InterContinental Rio were taken hostage by an armed gang involved in a shoot-out with police.

Rio de Janeiro officials have announced that an additional 2,000 hotel rooms would be built should the city win the bid to host the 2016 Olympics, in an attempt to curry favour with the IOC over the lack of available accommodation.