São Paulo - The Ministers of Tourism, Walfrido Mares Guia, and Environment, Marina Silva, signed a technical cooperation agreement to promote sustainable development in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed in São Paulo at the opening of the "Certification of Adventure Tourism" symposium during the Adventure Sports Fair.

Acting in conjunction, the Ministries intend to stimulate debate among non-governmental organizations (NGOs), entrepreneurs in the tourist sector, educational institutions, and society over integrated programs for ecotourism in the short, medium, and long run.

Minister Mares Guia emphasized that the accord fits in with the aims of the Ministry of Tourism. He recalled that, when the Ministry of Tourism was created, its focus was on the generation of employment, income, and foreign currency earnings.

The Minister also underscored the force of tourism. According to him, the sector represents 10% of the world economy - more than telecommunications - and accounts for one in every ten jobs. In Brazil 4.5 million people work formally and informally in the area of tourism. The goal, according to Mares Guia, is to create 1.2 million jobs in the sector by the end of President Lula's mandate, in 2006.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Mylena Fiori
Translator: David Silberstein
08/11/2004