Brasília – This Thursday (16th), Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff inaugurated Henrique Eduardo Alves as minister of Tourism, replacing Vinicius Lages. During a quick ceremony at government seat Palácio do Planalto, she thanked the former minister for his dedication and professionalism and wished Henrique Alves “much work and luck” in his new duties.
After being inaugurated, Alves said his primary task is to make tourism into an increasingly economic, social and political agenda. He also declared he’s willing to help the Brazilian vice president Michel Temer in connecting the Executive and Legislative powers politically. The new minister was president of the House of Representatives until 2014, and left the House after 44 years as a federal deputy.
In her address, Dilma Rousseff praised Brazil’s potential for tourism. Apart from encouraging Brazilians to travel domestically, she underscored the role of intangible assets Brazil can offer incoming foreigners, such as its people’s amiability. In his opinion, the tourism is “hugely important to the country’s growth.”
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
