WTO opens Americas, Caribbean office in Rio

Brazil has launched a significant new phase in its tourism industry by inaugurating the first World Tourism Organization (WTO) office for the Americas and the Caribbean in Rio de Janeiro.

The office will be a hub for developing tourism strategies for the region and its opening was attended by Brazil’s Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, Embratur’s president Marcelo Freixo, and OMT Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, along with regional tourism ministers and business leaders.

A significant collaboration was established through a Protocol of Intent signed by Minister Sabino and Antonio Florencio de Queiroz Junior, president of Sistema Fecomércio RJ. This partnership focuses on sharing knowledge and technology to advance sustainable tourism, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Global Compact.

Minister Sabino expressed pride in hosting the UNWTO office, anticipating it will bring global expertise in tourism planning, development, and investment attraction to the region.

And the president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, highlighted the importance of the inauguration of the OMT office in Rio de Janeiro, commenting: “ We have a historic day for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. I want to congratulate Minister Celso Sabino for this achievement and the Lula government for resuming our country’s international ties. Rio de Janeiro is a symbol of Brazil in the world, and this partnership with the UNWTO will be strategic for our country to be more competitive in international tourism, generating more jobs, income, and prosperity for all Brazilians.”