Historic cities will receive funding for signage.
The Ministry of Tourism announced this Thursday the release of R$ 19 million for this purpose to 34 Brazilian municipalities, including the Minas Gerais cities of Ouro Preto (R$ 650), Diamantina and São João del Rey (R$ 550 each).
Carolina Sarres
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia – The Ministry of Tourism announced this Thursday (8) the release of R$ 19 million for signage in historic cities. The 34 municipalities that will receive the resources are among those included in the Tourism Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). The objective of today's release is to improve the location for visitors expected next year, attracted by the World Cup.
The Minister of Tourism, Gastão Vieira, urged the mayors present at the ceremony for the release of funds to act quickly. According to him, it will not be possible to wait until mid-2014 for the signage to be ready.
Among the municipalities that will receive the largest contributions are Belém, Florianópolis - R$ 1 million each -, Ouro Preto (MG), R$ 650 thousand, Diamantina (MG), Laguna (SC), São João del Rey (MG) and Pelotas (RS) - R$ 550 thousand each.
Promoting tourism in Brazilian historical cities is part of the National Tourism Plan (2013-2016), which aims to increase the flow of visitors to these cities, generating employment and increasing tax revenue.
"Tourism is one of the best ways to face a crisis that is not ours, but which is taking a long time to pass. The [tourism] sector was the one that best responded to the government's tax breaks, maintaining jobs and increasing occupancy levels," the minister explained.
According to him, Brazil's potential lies in its domestic market. Last year, 35 million people who rose to the middle class made more than 190 million trips within the country. "Many European countries are weathering the crisis thanks to tourism, and that's the path Brazil should follow," Vieira added.
Edition: Adjutant Grace