Representatives of over 45 countries are participating, in Brazil, in the 2nd Annual Meeting of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, which runs through Wednesday, October 26.
Approximately 3,500 professionals associated with the sector are attending the forum. They include representatives of governments and international agencies and private enterprise partners.
Around 70 successful projects will be presented from various countries. The Brazilian Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia, stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and innovative solutions, which, in his view, permit integration among nations.
He says that the national program to combat sexual exploitation of children and adolescents will be presented to the ministers of Tourism from the countries of South America in an effort to formulate a continental joint action plan.
"We shall attempt to prevent certain charter flights, using information from the Federal Police to keep the traditional countries of origin from continuing to send these flights and encourage sexual tourism in the country."
Data from the state secretariat of Tourism show that Rio accounts for 40% of the annual flow of foreign tourists who visit the country and that the city has been the first travel option for domestic and foreign tourists. Over five million people visited the city last year.
The World Forum was created in Brasília two years ago at the initiative of the Brazilian government.
Agência Brasil