Brazil Leads South America with 60 Blue Flag Beaches

With 60 seashores and marinas now holding Blue Flag certification for the 2025–2026 season, Brazil has cemented its place as South America’s main vacation spot for sustainable coastal tourism. Behind the numbers lies a coordinated effort involving public authorities, native communities and tourism stakeholders, all working to show environmental accountability right into a long-term aggressive benefit.

In this interview, Bruno Reis, Director of Marketing, Business and Sustainability at Embratur explains what has pushed Brazil’s rise within the international Blue Flag rankings, how traveller expectations are evolving, and the way the nation is utilizing sustainability as a basis for long-term tourism improvement. Excerpts:

Brazil now leads South America in Blue Flag certifications. What has made this doable?

Brazil’s management within the Blue Flag Programme is the results of a structured and collective effort. The certification is predicated on 38 technical standards that consider water high quality, environmental administration, infrastructure, security and environmental training. Many of those areas fall beneath public accountability, which has inspired municipalities to undertake extra built-in and environment friendly administration practices.

Beyond infrastructure, one of the crucial essential elements has been steady funding in environmental training. The programme actively engages native communities within the safety and sustainable use of pure sources, making a shared sense of possession. This collaboration between public authorities, civil society and the non-public sector has been important in positioning Brazil as a reference for sustainable tourism in South America. The problem now’s to take care of and increase these achievements over time, guaranteeing that Brazil continues to strengthen its function as a world mannequin for accountable vacation spot administration.

With international journey shifting towards sustainability, what tendencies are you seeing amongst worldwide travellers?

International travellers at this time are far more attentive to sustainability and are actively searching for locations that provide genuine and accountable experiences. There is rising curiosity in ecotourism and journey tourism that mix nature, biodiversity conservation and respect for native communities.

Beyond conventional sun-and-beach tourism, we’re additionally seeing sturdy progress in nautical tourism and different nature-based segments. These experiences permit guests to attach extra deeply with their environment whereas having fun with excessive environmental requirements.

Another essential pattern is gradual journey. Travellers need to spend extra time in locations, immerse themselves in native tradition, gastronomy and on a regular basis life, and have extra significant experiences. This shift helps longer stays and better common spending, whereas additionally strengthening Brazil’s tender energy internationally. The enlargement of Blue Flag-certified seashores and marinas helps reinforce Brazil’s picture as a vacation spot that delivers high quality, security and sustainability, which is more and more decisive for travellers when selecting the place to go.

How is Brazil guaranteeing that sustainability additionally delivers long-term advantages for native communities?

Brazil has been working to higher combine public coverage, native communities and the tourism sector in order that sustainability interprets into actual social and financial influence. One essential step on this path is the launch of the Plano Brasis – International Tourism Marketing Plan 2025–2027, which gives strategic tips to strengthen Brazil’s presence in international markets. The plan helps state and municipal governments by aligning native actions with nationwide priorities, serving to optimise sources and increase alternatives for tourism-related companies. This coordination permits locations to develop whereas sustaining environmental accountability.

More broadly, the purpose is to construct a tourism mannequin that generates long-term worth for each individuals and nature. Sustainable tourism should stability customer progress with respect for ecosystems, cultural heritage and native livelihoods. By doing so, Brazil goals to place itself not solely as a lovely vacation spot, however as a world benchmark for accountable and regenerative tourism.