What Causes International Tourists’ Satisfaction in Brazil?

Abstract

This study identifies and measures the determinants of international tourists’ satisfaction in Brazil. It analyzes the opinions of more than 242 thousand inbound tourists who visited the country from 2004 to 2012. Data analysis is conducted through the use of an ordinal probit model, which provides highly accurate estimates. Variations of the overall tourists’ satisfaction are controlled by individual tourists’ characteristics, such as age, gender, level of education, household income, country of residence, previous visits to Brazil and the purpose of the trip. Evaluations of sixteen specific aspects of the Brazilian tourism product were used to explain tourists’ overall satisfaction. Results show that a good opinion of the Brazilian hospitality is the most relevant aspect to the overall tourists’ satisfaction. Other aspects among the most important are accommodation, nightlife, public safety, public sanitation, airports, prices, tourist information and gastronomy.