Gov. Pat Quinn is making a pitch for Brazilian tourists to visit Illinois.

He says experts predict trips from Brazil to the United States will grow 70% by 2016. Quinn wants Illinois to get its share of those visitors.

He spoke to members of the travel industry in São Paulo on Monday, saying Illinois offers "an authentic American experience."

About 56,000 Brazilians visited Illinois last year.

Quinn is on a 6-day trip to Brazil to promote Illinois. He returns Friday.