14 February 2011

BRASIL: Brasilians Invade Miami...To Shop, Shop, Shop.

M.HERALD/ M. Whitefield/


    With their economy booming, Brasilians are gobbling-up beachfront properties, downtown Miami condos and investing in everything from real estate to fast food franchises.
   But most of all, they are shopping.
    It’s as if a “swarm of grasshoppers” has descended on South Florida says one tour operator.
   “Brasil is breaking all sorts of records,’’ says a tourist official. “It has been our rock star market.’’
    American Airlines now offers 52 flights a week to Brasil from Miami International Airport.
     In 2010, more than 500,000 Brasilians will have spent more than $1 billion in the region, dethroning Canadians as top international visitors.