India and Brazil expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector.

The two countries will also explore the possibilities of promoting joint venture investments in the field of hotel industry and tourism infrastructure, India's Tourism Minister, Subodhkant Sahai, said after meeting his Brazilian counterpart, Gastao Viera. "We have decided to promote Indian destinations by organizing roadshows and other events in Brazil," he said.

A bilateral tourism cooperation agreement between India and Brazil was signed in January 2004. India and Brazil are also part of IBSA, a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange.

The issue of cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector was also discussed at the 5th India Brazil Joint Commission held in New Delhi in December, 2011.

Viera said Brazil is keen on exchange of experience in destination management and promotion with India.

He said Brazil would also like to share with India its best practices followed in the area of Eco-tourism and beach tourism. In return India offered to share its expertise on rural tourism with Brazil.

As per the proposed action plan, India will organize a workshop on rural tourism while Brazil will be holding a workshop on beach tourism.

"We are also planning to organize a tourism conference for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries," Sahai said, adding, "Brazil is also keen to have an e-visa system with India."

There were about 20,000 tourists from Brazil who visited India in 2009. Since Brazil is organizing World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016, India would utilize the occasion to promote its destinations.

Tourism Ministry has proposed to appoint India Tourism Marketing Representative office in Brazil to enhance its reach there.

Source :siliconindia.com