BRICS Tourism Working Group initiates debate on actions to develop the sector
Representatives from the eleven member countries dedicated two days to addressing the importance of regional tourism and other issues. Strengthening Global South cooperation is the main goal of the group’s Brazilian presidency
By André Martins | Brasil’s Ministry of Tourism
Regional tourism development was one of the main topics addressed at the First Technical Meeting of the 2025 BRICS Tourism Working Group (WG), which concluded this Tuesday (March 18), through video conference. Over two days, under the leadership of Brasil’s Ministry of Tourism (Ministério do Turismo/MTur), representatives from the eleven member countries discussed strategies from each nation to improve the segment, among other issues.
The Brazilian ministry presented a report for discussion among the members outlining the status of regional tourism in BRICS countries—currently composed of Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The text recommends actions to boost the sector in the areas of infrastructure; diversification of tourism options; professional training; public-private cooperation; financing and incentives for tourism and promotion.
In a video presented at the event, MTur Executive Secretary Ana Carla Lopes highlighted the economic, social, and environmental potential of sustainable tourism and advocated for joint efforts in the area. “We must continue to strengthen tourism as a strategic cooperation tool. We are certain that this group will continue to act as an engine to propel positive actions for our nations and the world,” the secretary declared.
The agenda for the BRICS Tourism WG also brought strategies to increase the tourism sector’s resilience and initiatives to attract digital nomads (professionals who work remotely via the Internet from anywhere in the world). Information on these two themes are gathered from the countries through online questionnaires distributed by Brasil to the other group members.
Kamila Zardini, Substitute Head of MTur’s International Relations Advisory, who chaired the online meetings, emphasized the benefits of sharing best practices among BRICS members. “Especially with the recent inclusion of new members, while there are similarities among BRICS countries, they also present a significant diversity and are geographically distant from one another. This diversity offers a unique opportunity to share experiences, mutual learnings, and cooperation in the tourism sector,” she observed.
The next technical meeting of the WG is scheduled for May 9, this time in person, in Brasilia, Federal District. On May 12, also in the Brazilian capital, the agenda will include an in-person Tourism Ministerial Meeting where the items discussed by the members will be consolidated into a joint declaration.