According to Roberto Pereira, executive secretary for the Integrated Committee of the Northeastern Tourism, the Brazilian Northeast should receive about 16 million tourists this year, coming mainly from Portugal, Chile, Peru and Argentina.

The justification for such an expansion in the tourism sector, is due, according to that authority, to the promotion of the region which has been made abroad by the said committee, in alliance with the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur and Infraero.