Hidden Pousadas Brazil
 | |
| Company type | Privately held |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Alison 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ Seth Kugel (September 11, 2012). "For a Brazilian Vacation, 7 Rules to Save By". The New York Times Travel. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Remarkable Rio Expat: Alison McGowan – Pousada & Brazil Travel Expert". Angloinfo. August 10, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Q I'm going travelling to [...]; TRAVEL CLINIC RICHARD GREEN solves your problems". The Sunday Times. December 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Ricardo Freire (March 27, 2012). "Hidden Pousadas, charme brazuca agora em português". Viaje na Viagem. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ Lisa Grainger (March 6, 2010). "Directory; Pick of the Pousadas". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Brazilian pousadas: B&Bs to fall in love with". High Life. August 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Na Rede: dicas de pousadas para quem quer se desconectar". CBN. June 7, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Hidden Pousadas Brazil recognised ahead of FIFA 2014 World Cup". Breaking Travel News. October 1, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.