A 500 m2 space, with a privileged view of Rio de Janeiro, will house the first office of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the Americas and the Caribbean. And it is from this space that Brazilian and foreign consultants will think about the best actions and policies to boost tourism throughout the region, promoting the economic and social development of the countries involved.
The inauguration of the office was attended by the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, the President of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, the President of the Food Trading System of RJ and Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of Paraguay, Angelita Duarte de Melillo, met with Veronica Pilar Pardo in Lagos on Thursday (14.12.23).
Minister Celso Sabino and the president of the Fecomércio RJ System, Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior, signed a Protocol of Intentions with the objective of working to contribute to the development of tourism in the country, through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and technologies for the strengthening. of the premises established in the United Nations Global Compact – embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals – SDG. The action will allow Brazil to position itself as a protagonist of sustainable tourism development policies in the national and international market.
"Today, all Brazilians feel very honored to welcome the UNWTO to our country and I would like to thank Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili for the support he has provided to the development of tourism in South America. With the UNWTO office here we will have the best professionals in the world thinking about planning, tourism qualification, promotion, discovery of new routes and destinations and also ways to attract more investments. Let's make our entire region experience a transformation through tourism,” said Minister Celso Sabino.
The president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, highlighted during the event the importance of the inauguration of the UNWTO office in Rio de Janeiro. “We have a historic day for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. I want to congratulate Minister Celso Sabino for this achievement and the Lula government for resuming our country's international ties. Rio de Janeiro is a symbol of Brazil in the world and this partnership with the UNWTO will be strategic for our country to be more competitive in international tourism, generating more jobs, income and prosperity for all Brazilians,” Marcelo added.
Located in a Fecomércio building in the city center of Rio de Janeiro, the UNWTO headquarters will have 24 individual workstations for the team of consultants, meeting rooms and also private rooms for the director of the Brazil office. and the UNWTO representative in the country.
“It is a great day for tourism in the Americas. Many countries wanted to open a regional office, but Christ wanted the UNWTO to be here and Rio de Janeiro is a great example, with many opportunities to grow. That is why we are committed and will work to energize the sector and create new tourism jobs, which is our greatest objective. “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 who work in tourism,” commented Zurab Pololikashvili.