To open a travel agency in Brazil, investors follow the general rules for company incorporation in the country, coupled with sound market research and branding for their new business. To set up a company in Brazil that will operate in the tourism sector, entrepreneurs will have to register a legal entity with the company registry and follow the licensing requirements.
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How to open a travel agency in Brazil – initial considerations
Brazil’s tourism sector is seeing a favourable evolution, with more tourists arriving in Rio de Janeiro and other cities compared to recent years. The country has much to offer in terms of travel destinations and activities and the decision to open a travel agency in Brazil can prove worthwhile, as investors can explore offering various types of services and experiences to tourists.
If you plan to start a travel agency in Brazil you will follow the general incorporation steps (as detailed below by our team), however, you will also have to follow the requirements for working with/employing accredited travel agents.
In Brazil, travel agencies are registered with (and licensed) by the Cadastur, the Registry of Tourism Services Providers, as per the requirements set forth by the Ministry of Tourism.
Travel or tourism agencies, travel carriers, event organizers, tourist camps, and tourist guides are required to register. Once the process is complete, a certificate is issued and the licensed individual or company can legally engage in their activities.
General steps for company formation in Brazil
To open a travel agency in Brazil an investor has to follow the general steps required to open a company in any other industry. The process starts with choosing a suitable business form, which is often based on the number of business partners and their available start-up capital.
Below, our team lists the main steps to open a company in Brazil:
- Reserve a company name: the name of the
- Decide the company’s particulars: investors who open a travel agency in Brazil will require a local registered office for their business. They will also have to decide the company’s management structure;
- Prepare the documents: these are the company’s Articles of Association, containing key information about the business;
- Register the new company: the company is registered with the Commercial Registry and the tax authorities. The founders will also open a corporate bank account in Brazil.
Our local team of incorporation experts can assist with the formalities for hiring employees and those for obtaining the license for travel agencies mentioned above.
The travel industry in Brazil
Brazil offers a variety of experiences to international tourists, from the unique vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro to its lush rainforest. The country remains an attractive destination for foreign investments, including those in the tourism sector, a fact that is supported by the number of foreign travellers entering the country each year.
Below, our experts in company incorporation in Brazil highlight a set of statistical data issued by the Government, with emphasis on the tourism sector:
- In 2024, the country received USD 212 million in international revenue from the tourism sector;
- This represents a 231% increase compared to the same period a year prior;
- Between August and October 2024, there was a total of USD 86.8 million in foreign direct investments in tourism, a 278% increase compared to the same months of 2023;
- Moreover, data for 2025 show that the international tourist arrivals in May reached a record of 461,341 people who arrived in the country in that single month.
If you would like to know more about how to open a travel agency in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro or in another city, do not hesitate to contact us.