Recently in São Paulo, during the Investe Turismo Segurança Jurídica Gera Empregos (Invest Tourism Legal Security Generates Jobs) Seminar, which took place on June 6th, authorities, trade and the press discussed issues that are relevant and fundamental for Brazil, and that the tourism industry can launch internationally. The event was attended by the Minister of Tourism, Vinicius Lummertz, who pointed out some issues that can serve as a guide for the dream of the ideal Brazil.
Lummertz gave an interview to FESTURIS Gramado – International Tourism Fair, an event that takes place from November 8-11 in the Serra Gaúcha, and spoke about his actions, concerns and also ideas that need to be put into practice. According to him action must be taken for tourism to develop across the country and not just in specific places and niches.
What is the biggest concern regarding the lack of growth of Tourism in Brazil?
Vinicius Lummertz – The integration between the government and the tourist trade is vital for us to change the business environment which is the main problem of Tourism in Brazil. Some problems such as bureaucracy and legal uncertainty make the arrival of investments in the sector difficult. There is a lot of interest from investors around the world to invest billions in Brazil but the business environment is incompatible with the business potential of Brazilian Tourism which is the largest on the planet. So we have to focus on these changes. All other things are important, but the most important thing is to give the opportunity to national and international private initiatives to act and develop our Tourism. It is important to integrate our economy into the international economy.
Is it possible to measure the real participation of Brazil in International Tourism?
Vinicius Lummertz – Brazil has a participation in International Tourism of 0.73% and we have to expand this bringing not only benefits to tourism but also the country to be more international and contemporary. We see Tourism growing and developing in all corners of the world and we in Brazil continue with a certain apathy in relation to it all. We need to call the world to invest here in Brazil because there is capital and interest, but there is no legal certainty necessary to make this investment a reality.
Is Gramado a reference in this regard for the rest of the country?
Vinicius Lummertz – Gramado is one of the most successful examples of development in a tourist culture that should serve as a model for all of Brazil. Gramado has many merits, among them inventiveness and creativity. But the best example is the mobilization that shows how a small town mobilizes the whole industry and, with around 35,000 inhabitants, is able to receive more than 6 million visitors per year.
Is internationalization and modernization of Tourism through actions focused on Legal Security possible in the short term?
Vinicius Lummertz – I understand that Brazil needs change. There is the misconception that we can have a country with a high quality of life and consumption of the first world goods and services. But we only produce 20% of what the US and Europe produce, for example. So, how can Brazilians live the same reality with less productivity? Actions are necessary that allow the Brazilian to be more productive and two paths point that I point to are Business and Tourism, niches in which we have global distinction. With this we would have a country on the road to development with sustainable growth rates. In Brazil we need to change the business environment and facilitate the contribution of foreign capital.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- There is a lot of interest from investors around the world to invest billions in Brazil but the business environment is incompatible with the business potential of Brazilian Tourism which is the largest on the planet.
- We see Tourism growing and developing in all corners of the world and we in Brazil continue with a certain apathy in relation to it all.
- The integration between the government and the tourist trade is vital for us to change the business environment which is the main problem of Tourism in Brazil.