31 Mar, 2012
India, Brazil Plan Boost in Bilateral Tourism, Investments
New Delhi, March 29, 2012 (Press Information Bureau) – India and Brazil are planning a number of ways to strengthen cooperation in various sectors of tourism. The visiting Tourism Minister of Brazil Mr Gastao Vieira who called on Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai here today said that Brazil is keen to exchange experience in destination management and promotion with India. He said Brazil would also like to share with India its best practices in the area of Rural and Eco-tourism.
Both countries have agreed to explore the possibilities of promoting joint venture investment in the field of hotel industry and tourism infrastructure. Mr Sahai said that as hotels and tourism sector has been opened for foreign direct investment upto hundred percent on automatic route, Brazilian investment in tourism infrastructure in India could be the major investment in tourism.
There was also a suggestion to organize a special programme wherein the HRD experts from India and Brazil can visit some of the Hotel Management and Tourism Institute in both the countries and interact with the teaching faculty through conferences and seminars. Mr Subodh Kant also suggested holding of BRICS tourism ministers conclave.
A bilateral tourism cooperation agreement between India and Brazil was signed in January 2004. India and Brazil are also part of IBSA, a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange. The 5th India Brazil Joint Commission was held in New Delhi on 12th December 2011.
As per the proposed action plan under IBSA Agreement, India will organize a workshop on rural tourism while Brazil will be holding a workshop on beach tourism. A workshop on rural tourism is supposed to be held this year subject to the confirmation of participation by Brazil and South Africa.
The Ministry of Tourism for enhancing its reach to prospective tourists has proposed the appointment of an India Tourism Marketing Representative office in Brazil. An expression of interest (EoI) has been invited.
The number of tourist arrivals from Brazil to India during the last few years was as follows:
2006: 9,148
2007: 10,788
2008: 11,530
2009: 13,964
2010: 15,129
In 2009, tourists from India to Brazil totalled 19,456.
India Tourism Office New York looks after the tourism promotion aspects in Brazil. It conducts Road Shows/Workshops/ Seminar in various cities of Brazil and also participates in Association of Brazilian Travel Agents, Trade Fair every year.
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