São Paulo, September 16, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Ministry of Tourism announced on Monday (15) the creation of the "Brazilian Tourism Site," which will bring together all information pertinent to this sector from all over the country. The site was created to provide a single reference source to view what is available in Brazilian tourist information and services. According to Rodrigo Godinho Corrêa, coordinator of the Ministry's Electronic Government, the chief goal of the site is to furnish ample public information, accessible to all. The Site will begin to operate on October 13 and will merge the current sites operated by the Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Enterprise) and the state secretariats of Tourism. The address is www.turismo.gov.br.

Milton Zuanazzi, national secretary of Tourism Policies, said that, compared to other countries, Brazil is backwards in the use of the internet to publicize its products. The new site will contain material for both domestic and foreign audiences, despite the fact that the Ministry of Tourism is aware that less than 10% of the Brazilian population has access to the global computer network. "We have to consider how to improve internet access, as well as promoting digital inclusion in Brazil," Corrêa commented. (DAS)