Brazil’s hospitality ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by a vibrant network of startups, vacation rentals, hotels, established companies, investors, accelerators, and educational institutions.
This dynamic landscape is characterized by innovative funding rounds, strategic acquisitions, and a strong community of industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
From bustling hubs and specialized schools nurturing talent to key events that foster collaboration and growth, Brazil is positioning itself as a powerhouse in the global hospitality sector.
In this guide, we explore the multifaceted ecosystem shaping the future of hospitality in Brazil, highlighting the key players that define this exciting market.
Hospitality Ecosystem Brazil
1. Startups
Hospitality & Accommodation Tech
- Omnibees — A major Brazilian platform for hotel management, distribution, and channel management.
- AskSuite – AI Reservation Agents and omnichannel communication for independent hotels, groups, and resorts
- Nexo Tecnologia — Cloud-based PMS solutions focused on small and mid-sized hotels and hostels
- Instaviagem — Redefining the standard of customer experience in Brazilian tourism. They design and manage the end-to-end experience, from the first contact to the user's return
- HotelariaApp — Property management and booking software tailored for Brazilian inns and hotels
Revenue Management Systems (RMS)
- BeBook — Brazilian startup that's using AI-driven RMaaS (Revenue Management-as-a-Service) for hotels.
- RHRS (Revenue Hotel RMS) — Brazilian startup specializing in AI-driven revenue optimization for hotels.
- Mindrevenue — Revenue management platform using data analytics to optimize hotel pricing.
Point of Sale (PoS)
- Linx — One of Brazil’s largest PoS providers serving hospitality, retail, and service sectors.
- Pagar.me — Payment gateway & PoS solutions popular among travel-related businesses.
- VTEX — While primarily e-commerce, offers solutions adaptable for travel retail and onsite payments.
- Pax Tecnologia. Provides point-of-sale and management systems tailored for hospitality and travel sectors
Sustainability & Unique Niches
- Arara — Eco-friendly accommodation booking focusing on sustainability.
- Casa do Rio — A startup offering nature retreats with an emphasis on sustainability and eco-tourism.
- Guia Litoral — Niche travel focused on Brazil’s coastal and beach conservation tourism.
2. Companies
Hotel Chains & Groups
- Atlantica Hotels International. One of the largest hotel groups in Brazil, managing multiple brands like Quality, Comfort, and Radisson.
- Accor Brasil. A major player with brands like ibis, Novotel, Mercure, and Sofitel across Brazil.
- GJP Hotels & Resorts. A Brazilian group operating premium hotels and resorts, including brands like Wish and Prodigy.
- Bourbon Hotéis & Resorts. Known for business and leisure hotels mainly in southern Brazil.
- Brazil Hospitality Group (BHG). Operates several hotels and resorts under various brands, focusing on the Brazilian market.
- Blue Tree Hotels. A Brazilian chain with properties in major cities and tourist destinations.
- Soft Inn Hotels. A budget-friendly hotel group growing across Brazil.
Hospitality & Travel Technology Leaders
- Omnibees. A leading Brazilian technology company providing booking engines, channel management, and revenue management solutions for hotels.
- Hotelogix Brazil. Cloud-based hotel management software tailored to small and mid-sized properties.
- Hurb (formerly Hotel Urbano). One of Brazil’s largest online travel agencies (OTAs), offering a tech-driven platform for booking hotels, flights, and packages.
Global hospitality companies and brands.
3. Investors
Travel & Hospitality–Focused VC Funds
- Bossa Invest: A São Paulo-based venture capital firm with a portfolio of over 370 startups, including investments in travel-related startups such as Instaviagem and Tripscout
- Canary: Another São Paulo-based firm known for its investments in early-stage startups across various sectors, including hospitality and travel
- Valor Capital Group: A venture capital firm that has made multiple investments in hospitality startups in Brazil
- Monashees. Focuses broadly on tech startups, including travel and hospitality innovations in Brazil and Latin America.
- Kaszek Ventures. While broad, they have invested in travel and hospitality-related tech companies.
- Redpoint ventures. Early-stage tech VC that occasionally invests in travel and hospitality startups.
- DOMO Invest. Invests in early-stage startups with some exposure to travel and hospitality-related tech.
- HUB Ventures. Focus on innovation and startups including those in travel and tourism.
- Other notable investors actively funding hospitality startups in Brazil: Grão, Unblock Ventures, Barn Investments, Indicator Capital, HIX Capital, Plataforma Capital Partners, big_bets, APEX Partners, Karlani Capital, Polaris Investimentos, and VentureFriends
Private Equity & Infrastructure Investors
- GP Investments. A major PE firm in Latin America, with investments in hospitality and travel-related companies.
- Patria Investments. Active in infrastructure and PE, including tourism infrastructure projects.
- 3G Capital. Though mainly focused on food & beverage, they have investments impacting hospitality.
- Tarpon Investimentos. Invests in infrastructure and hospitality sectors.
- IG4 Capital. Infrastructure and private equity with focus on tourism and hospitality projects.
- XP Private Equity. Through their PE arm, invests in consumer sectors including hospitality.
- BNDES Participações (BNDESPAR). The Brazilian Development Bank’s investment arm supporting infrastructure and tourism-related ventures.
Global hospitality and travel investors.
4. Accelerators
- Baita Aceleradora. Location: Campinas, São Paulo. Focus: Accelerates technology-based startups with disruptive products, services, or business models.
- ShiftT by Tupy. Focus: Supports startups in areas like Industry 4.0, sustainable development, and digital transformation.
- Porto Digital. Location: Recife, Pernambuco. Focus: Fosters technological innovation in IT and creative industries.
- Startup Rio. Location: Rio de Janeiro. Focus: Supports IT/Digital startups, Life Sciences, Greentech, and Social Innovation. Support: Offers a four-month acceleration program with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
- ACE Startups (São Paulo) — accelerator supporting travel tech startups.
Global hospitality accelerators.
5. Funding Rounds
- Onfly – Corporate Travel Management Platform. Funding Round: $16 million (Series A).
- Mendel – Business Travel and Expense Management. Funding Round: $35 million (Series B)
- Flapper – Private Aviation Marketplace. Funding: Seed investment led by Brazilian fund manager Confrapar
Global hospitality funding rounds.
6. Acquisitions
- BTG Pactual's Acquisition of AccorInvest Hotels: BTG Pactual received preliminary approval to acquire 18 hotels from AccorInvest in Brazil for R$1.7 billion (approximately $300 million).
- Brazil Hospitality Group's Expansions: BHG S.A. has been actively expanding its footprint. It acquired the Hotel Intercontinental in Rio de Janeiro, adding 418 rooms to its portfolio
Global hospitality acquisitions.
7. People
- Gilson Machado Neto. Current Minister of Tourism of Brazil. Plays a significant role in shaping tourism policies and initiatives nationally.
- Roberto Thomé. CEO of Accor Brasil (One of the largest hotel groups in Brazil). Key player in the hospitality industry.
- Mário Haddad. President of ABIH (Brazilian Association of Hotels). Influential in the hotel industry advocacy and development.
- Claudia Sender. Former CEO of LATAM Airlines Brazil. Important figure in Brazil’s airline and travel sector.
- Guilherme Paulus. Founder of CVC (the largest travel agency in Latin America). Significant entrepreneur in Brazilian tourism.
- Celso Guimarães. Executive President of Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board). Responsible for promoting Brazil internationally as a tourist destination.
8. Events
- International Conference on Tourism, Transport, and Logistics in Rio de Janeiro. A platform for researchers, scholars, and industry professionals to discuss advancements in tourism infrastructure and logistics.
- National Tourism Expo & Tourism Fair. These concurrent events aim to promote domestic tourism, offering a platform for travel agencies, airlines, and tourism organizations to showcase destinations and services.
- ABAV Expo Internacional de Turismo. A leading trade show for the tourism industry, featuring exhibitors from various sectors including travel, hospitality, and cultural tourism.
- Web Summit Rio: A major technology conference focusing on AI, fintech, and sustainability in Rio de Janeiro.
- Festuris Gramado: This event is a key gathering for adventure tourism, cultural tourism, and tourism technologies.
9. Schools
- University of São Paulo (USP). Programs: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Tourism. Specializations: Hospitality Management, Event Planning, Tourism Development
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Programs: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Tourism. Specializations: Cultural Tourism, Ecotourism, Tourism Management
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Programs: Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism. Specializations: Hotel Management, Event Organization, Tourism Planning
- Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Programs: Bachelor’s in Tourism and Hospitality. Specializations: Hotel Administration, Event Management, Sustainable Tourism
- University of Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI). Programs: Bachelor’s and Master's in Tourism and Hospitality. Specializations: Cruise Management, Tourism Consultancy, Events and Convention Management
- Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). Programs: Master’s in Management with a focus on Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure. Specializations: Strategic Tourism Management, Event Planning, Hospitality Operations
- Escola de Hoteleiros. Focus: Operational training for hotel staff. Programs: Courses for waiters, housekeepers, receptionists, and reservation agents
- International Hotel Management Program (IHMP). Target Audience: Professionals aiming for managerial roles in international hotel chains
10. Hubs
- São Paulo. The largest tech hub in Brazil and Latin America. Many travel tech startups, accelerators, and innovation centers are based here. Home to co-working spaces and innovation hubs focused on hospitality technology. Major companies and investors focused on travel, booking platforms, and hospitality management software.
- Rio de Janeiro. Important for tourism technology, thanks to its strong tourism industry.. Several startups and tech companies focus on travel experience optimization and hospitality solutions. Presence of accelerators that support travel and hospitality tech startups.
- Belo Horizonte. Growing tech ecosystem with several startups in travel and tourism. Home to tech incubators and innovation labs that foster hospitality-related technology.
- Florianópolis. Known as a tech hotspot, especially for startups. Some travel and hospitality tech companies focus on user experience and booking technologies. Close connection with tourism due to its coastal location.
11. Government
- Ministry of Tourism (Ministério do Turismo). Main government agency responsible for tourism policy, promotion, and regulation. Works to develop Brazil’s tourism infrastructure, marketing campaigns, and sustainable tourism initiatives. Coordinates with regional and municipal tourism offices.
- National Tourism Agency (Agência Nacional de Turismo - ANTT). Regulates transport related to tourism such as buses and other tourism carriers.
- Brazilian Institute of Tourism (Embratur). Responsible for promoting Brazil internationally as a travel destination. Works on marketing campaigns abroad to boost inbound tourism.
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