Jim Stratton and Alexia Fernandez – Orlando Sentinel, 6/29/2014
Fueled by a growing middle class, Brazil has made its way to the top of Orlando’s overseas-visitor list, overtaking the United Kingdom for the first time.
Almost 770,000 visitors from the South American powerhouse came to Central Florida in 2013, topping the 759,000 from Great Britain, according to estimates from the Visit Orlando tourism-marketing agency. Since 2004, Brazilian travel to Orlando has exploded by 900 percent as rising affluence has given more Brazilians a taste for American theme parks, restaurants and shopping.
Leading the way are Brazilian teens, for whom a trip to Orlando has become almost a rite of passage. They arrive after 10 or 11 hours on a plane, tired but eager to sample Central Florida’s thrill rides, night life and stores.
Brazil Portal 