Brasília, 6/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Now that Brazil has discovered the importance of tourism and found that it is fundamental for social and economic development, minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia says that tourism could be the principal factor in Mercosur economic development, as well, if there is the political will power in member countries. Mares Guia made his comments at the 35th Meeting of Mercosur Tourism ministers which is taking place in Brasilia.

Attending the meeting were delegations from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and Bolivia as an associate member, and Peru, as a special invited guest nation. The ministers discussed a Mercosur-wide effort at using tourism to consolidate the economic block through an increase in tourism and technical cooperation.

The ministers also dealt with administrative and cultural problems in cross-border tourism, which involve legal and administrative barriers. They announced that it was urgent to bring the problems to the attention of authorities and unite in an effort to overcome them. It was decided to present a report on the problems at their next meeting, scheduled for September in Montevideo.

Mares Guia reported that Mercosur countries are determined to simplify cross-border tourism and make a joint effort to attract tourists from abroad, mainly the US and Europe. Following the meeting the delegations met with president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. (AB)