Hidden Pousadas Brazil

Hidden Pousadas Brazil
Company typePrivately held
IndustryHospitality
Founded2008
FounderAlison McGowan
Headquarters
Brazil
Area served
Brazil
Key people
Alison McGowan, CEO

Hidden Pousadas Brazil is a British company and website with operational headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. It provides international marketing and promotion services to independent Brazilian pousadas, including eco-lodges, bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels and guesthouses.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The company was founded in 2008 by owner and Hidden Pousadas curator Alison McGowan, a British expatriate.[7][8][9] As of 2013, Hidden Pousadas Brazil listed over 400 pousadas on its site.[10]

History

In 2007, Hidden Pousadas Brazil founder Alison McGowan took a short vacation at a small pousada, Pousada Santa Clara, on the Brazilian island of Boipeba.[2][6][8] She realised the potential demand for pousadas as a niche segment of the Brazilian hotel market and created Hidden Pousadas Brazil, with its website to showcase pousadas throughout Brazil to independent travellers.[2][6] A draft blog was started in 2008 and the Hidden Pousadas Brazil website launched in January 2009.[8][9][10]

In July 2011, Hidden Pousadas Brazil began its partnership with the Brazilian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism (ABETA).[citation needed]

In October 2012, Hidden Pousadas Brazil was awarded Brazil’s Ministry of Sports official seal of approval for the project Brazil, a hidden paradise yet to be discovered, which was accepted for inclusion into Brazil's promotion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[11]

Operations

The majority of pousadas listed on Hidden Pousadas Brazil have between 4-25 suites.[8] McGowan personally conducts a site visit and writes reviews for all properties before awarding "highly recommended" status on Hidden Pousadas Brazil’s site.[8][10]

Hidden Pousadas Brazil also produces Brazil Blog, a blog that shares information on new pousadas and destinations; and Brazil Travel Clinic, a blog that answers user-submitted questions about traveling in Brazil.[6][8][10]

References

  1. ^ Seth Kugel (September 11, 2012). "For a Brazilian Vacation, 7 Rules to Save By". The New York Times Travel. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Remarkable Rio Expat: Alison McGowan – Pousada & Brazil Travel Expert". Angloinfo. August 10, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  3. ^ Donna Bowater (October 17, 2013). "England's Rio de Janeiro base for World Cup 2014: a beach and a favela". Telegraph. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  4. ^ Marcos Jr. Oliveira (April 28, 2011). "Site especializado em dicas sobre Pousadas cresce no Brasil". Diaro do Turismo. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  5. ^ "Q I'm going travelling to [...]; TRAVEL CLINIC RICHARD GREEN solves your problems". The Sunday Times. December 18, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d Ricardo Freire (March 27, 2012). "Hidden Pousadas, charme brazuca agora em português". Viaje na Viagem. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  7. ^ Lisa Grainger (March 6, 2010). "Directory; Pick of the Pousadas". The Daily Telegraph.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Andy Martin (April 30, 2013). "Talking to expat entrepreneur Alison McGowan about cracking the hard nut of Brazil's tourism market". The Displaced Nation. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Brazilian pousadas: B&Bs to fall in love with". High Life. August 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d "Na Rede: dicas de pousadas para quem quer se desconectar". CBN. June 7, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Hidden Pousadas Brazil recognised ahead of FIFA 2014 World Cup". Breaking Travel News. October 1, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.