Embratur highlights regional integration, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and digital nomads at the BRICS meeting

Embratur President Marcelo Freixo spoke this Monday (12) at the Itamaraty Palace during the BRICS Tourism Ministerial Meeting. Representatives from China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, and South Africa attended the meeting, which resulted in the signing of the Cerrado Declaration, which positions tourism as a development tool for the Global South. The BRICS summit of heads of state will be held on July 6 and 7 in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian Presidency will last until December 31st and will be guided by the motto: "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." In his remarks, Freixo addressed topics such as regional integration and cooperation in the Global South, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and strategies to boost digital nomad tourism, which were discussed by all present. For the President of Embratur, regional integration and cooperation among countries of the Global South are historical necessities.

Brazil, home to the Amazon, the Pantanal, and the Atlantic Forest, understands that protecting our biomes is a global commitment. The Brazil we envision for the world is a project for the future of humanity. A country that combats inequality, values ​​its ethnic and cultural diversity, and assumes global leadership in the transition toward a sustainable economy, he affirmed.

After the meeting, the president of Embratur emphasized the importance of the topics discussed. "We reached a final agreement, a consensus, the Cerrado Charter, which addresses sustainability, employment and income relations, and tourism as a decisive tool for ever-better relations between countries," he stated. 

“Here we address an important point about digital nomads. There are 40 million workers who don't necessarily have to settle in one country or another. And there's an incentive for them to move and live in the BRICS countries, generating jobs and income,” Freixo added.

During the meeting, Tourism Minister Celso Sabino highlighted the strategic role of tourism as a driver of economic, social, and environmental development for the bloc's countries. "We are taking a firm step toward this goal, in line with the multilateralism so staunchly defended by our President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The Cerrado Declaration marks a milestone in the history of global tourism. The BRICS countries constitute the largest economy, the largest consumer market, and the largest group of tourists. This document defines how our countries should guide their actions in the field of tourism," the minister stated.

BRICS

In addition to Marcelo Freixo, the event was also attended by Tourism Minister Celso Sabino; ​​Embratur's International Relations Advisor Paulo Lins; MTur's Head of International Consulting; Alex Giacomelli, Director of Trade Promotion and Investments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE); and Sophia Kadri, Head of Trade Promotion, Industry and Services at Itamaraty.

Within the bloc, Brazil advocates for reforms to the global governance system, greater participation of emerging countries, and greater efficiency in international organizations. Priorities focus on areas such as global health cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate change; artificial intelligence governance; multilateral peace and security architecture; and institutional development. 

In 2024, in Moscow, when Russia held the presidency of the bloc, Brazil advocated for expanding the flow of tourists through visa facilitation, technical cooperation agreements, and promotional activities among the group's countries. The government also adopted the Roadmap for BRICS Tourism Cooperation to facilitate tourism exchange, skills development, the promotion of sustainable tourism, and the digitalization of services. 

Cerrado Letter

As Freixo highlighted, at Monday's meeting, the group signed the Cerrado Charter in historic consensus. Regarding tourism among BRICS members, the ministerial declaration highlights "the role of cooperation among members (...) as essential to overcoming challenges and positioning tourism as a central pillar of sustainable and inclusive growth."

Regarding sustainable tourism, the document highlights the importance of knowledge sharing and "collaborative solutions to strengthen the sector's capacity to adapt to global challenges, including climate change and economic turmoil." And regarding digital nomads, the document highlights what will be vital in the coming years: coordinated action "to leverage digital nomad tourism as a catalyst for inclusive and resilient economic growth in the BRICS nations."

Agenda bilateral

Freixo also participated in a bilateral meeting with the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition to the president and advisor for International Relations of Embratur, the meeting was also attended by the Agency's International Markets Coordinator, Alisson Andrade; the director of the UN Tourism Office for the Americas, Heitor Kadri; the secretary and representative of the Minister of Economy of the UAE, Dr. Abdelrahman Hassan Almuaini; and the head of Economic Affairs at the UAE Embassy in Brasilia, Muna Al Falahi. The group discussed the importance of increasing the flow of tourists from both sides and expanding air connectivity between Brazil and the Middle East.

Source: Embratur.