BRASILIA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's tourism sector keeps a sound growing rhythm despite the international financial crisis, official statistics released Friday showed.

    From January to September, the number of tourists grew by 20 percent from the same period of 2007, said Jeanine Pires, president of the Brazilian Institute of Tourism (Embratur).

    The growth was largely due to a surge in the number of foreign tourists, who contributed 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in revenues, Pires said.

    The world financial crisis also helped boost the home tourism market as a stronger dollar has promoted the Brazilian people's purchase power to travel inside the country, said the official.

    Brazil has become one of the main international tourist destinations, thanks to the professional and mature tourism system in the country, said Pires.

    According to Pires, more efforts are needed to make Brazil better known as a country capable of offering good services to visitors on vacations or for businesses.

    It is foreseen that in 2008 foreign tourist expenditures in Brazil will grow by 15 percent from 2007.