MEDIA ALERT 18.12.2023

SOURCE: Ministry of Tourism of Brazil

With a Unique WTO Office, Brazil Launches a New Phase in Tourism and Becomes a Reference for the Americas and the Caribbean

The World Tourism Organization unit will serve as a hub for developing policies for the region's tourism.

Rio de Janeiro, 18.12.2023: A 500 m2 space, boasting a stunning view of Rio de Janeiro, will house the first office of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the Americas and the Caribbean, starting yesterday Thursday 14th December. From this location, Brazilian and international consultants will devise the best actions and policies to boost tourism across the region, promoting economic and social development in the countries served. 

The inauguration of the unit was attended by the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, the Secretary-General of OMT, Zurab Pololikashvili, the President of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, the President of the Sistema Fecomércio RJ, Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior, the Minister of Tourism of Paraguay, Angelita Duarte de Melillo, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, Remo Monzeglio, the Undersecretary of Tourism of Chile, Veronica Pilar Pardo Lagos, as well as lawmakers and investors. 

Minister Celso Sabino and the President of the Sistema Fecomércio RJ, Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior, signed an Intent Protocol aiming to contribute to the development of tourism in the country, through sharing knowledge, expertise, and technologies. The aim of this is to strengthen the principles established in the United Nations Global Compact, which are embodied in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or UN SDGs. This action will position Brazil as a leader in sustainable development policies for tourism on both national and international markets.

"Today, all of us Brazilians are very honored to welcome the World Tourism Organization to our country, and I would like to thank Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili for the support given to the development of tourism in South America. With the WTO office here, we will have the world's best technicians thinking about planning, tourism qualification, promotion, discovering new routes and destinations, and also ways to attract more investments. We will ensure that our entire region experiences the transformation through tourism," said Minister Celso Sabino.

"This is a historic day for Rio de Janeiro and for Brazil. I want to congratulate Minister Celso Sabino on this achievement and the Lula government for renewing our country's international ties. Rio de Janeiro is a symbol of Brazil in the world and this partnership with the WTO will be strategic for our country to be more competitive in international tourism, generating more jobs, income, and prosperity for all Brazilians," stated the President of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo.

STRUCTURE 

The WTO headquarters, located in a Fecomércio building in the center of Rio de Janeiro, opposite the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, will feature 24 individual workstations for the team of consultants, meeting rooms, and private offices for the director of the Brazil office and the WTO representative in the country.

"It's a great day for tourism in the Americas. Many countries wanted to open a regional office, but Christ wanted the WTO to be here, and Rio de Janeiro is a great example, with many opportunities to grow. Therefore, we are committed and will work to boost the sector and create new tourism jobs, which is our main goal. This is a very emotional day and I thank the entire Brazilian government and we will do many things together to improve the lives of those working in tourism," commented Zurab Pololikashvili, in reference to Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

PARTNERSHIP  

"Today, we are here celebrating a victory that Fecomércio RJ is very proud of, having advocated for bringing the WTO office to Rio de Janeiro. This installation is a great achievement for Rio and Brazil, and it brings us multiple challenges, starting with the duty we all have to firmly advance in fulfilling the guidelines set out in the UN Global Compact, of which we are conscious signatories. Tourism can offer significant contributions to the decarbonization of the planet and commitment to sustainability," said Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior, the President of the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services, and Tourism of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

PLANNED ACTIONS

The establishment of the new WTO office in Rio de Janeiro aims to continue the WTO's regional activities; develop actions related to the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism; promote the integration of tourism into the global agenda; enhance the competitiveness of tourism; build partnerships to strengthen the activity, among other objectives

ENDS

Media Contact:

Timothy Allen

tim@brandinglatinamerica.com 

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