Brazil Calls for Change in US Tourist Visas
BRASILIA, Brazil, March 6, 2006. Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia has said that he is in favour of eliminating the visa requirement for U.S. tourists.
Speaking at the S~ao Paulo Industrial Federation Federac~ao das Ind'ustrias do Estado de S~ao Paulo, Mares Guia said the visa and a mandatory payment of $100 is stopping the development of tourism in Brazil.
The minister explained that the visa could be issued when the US tourist arrives in Brazil, rather than beforehand, thus reducing red tape. This way the charge could be eliminated.
Spokespersons at the ministry told Ag^encia Brasil that the proposed changes had gotten a favorable reception in Congress. A bill dealing with the topic is expected to be voted on by the end of March.
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