Jeanine Pires has confirmed she is to step down after four years at the helm of Embratur.

Assuming leadership of the Brazil tourism body will be Mário Moysés, who is currently serving as executive secretary at the Brazilian ministry of tourism.

Ms Pires has been in the role since August 2006, and oversaw the successful bids for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

Following her departure Ms Pires is expected to take up a leadership role with a new body associated with ministry of sport entitled the Agency for the Promotion of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Ms Pires’ predecessor, Eduardo Sanovicz, followed a similar path on the eve of the last Brazilian presidential election, leaving to head up Reed Exhibition in Brazil.