Minister disagrees with others who threatened to leave the government if the president takes benefits from their areas
The Minister of Tourism, (União Brasil), said that he would not see any problem if the president (PT) cut his budget as part of the fiscal adjustment. According to him, it would be a reason to be more “efficient”.
“If there are cuts in Tourism, I will work triple and call my entire team to work even harder“, said Sabino in an interview with Poder360 on Monday (11.Nov.2024).
The statement clashes with what other ministers said last week. Carlos Lupi (PDT), Minister of Social Security, said last Thursday (7.nov) that if Lula “cut rights” as part of the budget readjustment,
The Minister of Labor, Luiz Marinho (PT), said on October 30 that . Minister Wellington Dias (PT), Minister of Social Assistance, on the 5th “I would never cut benefits” due to an impediment from the president himself.
According to Sabino, budget readjustment is a normal part of public management. “It is natural to have budget cuts at the beginning of the 2nd semester. But it is also natural for there to be growth in revenue. It’s tradition. The blockages are being reset. I see it as a natural concern for Minister Haddad. All governments are concerned with fiscal austerity and spending control. At the other end, there are ministries that want to expand services, more investments, expansion and consequently more spending. All life is like this“, these.
Sabino is 46 years old, a member of União Brasil and a federal deputy elected by Pará. He has been Minister of Tourism since August 2023. He was a member of the PSDB before joining his current party.
Economy
Sabino said that the country should break a record for tourist arrivals in 2024. By June, he said, there were 6 million. The historic record was in 2018, when 6.8 million tourists came to the country. “Our goal is to end the year at 7 million”these.
Read excerpts from the interview given on Monday (11.nov) to Poder360:
Poder360: There was concern in the government about the airline sector. How are you now?
Celso Sabino: Better. more flights for the season. There are 12% more seats available this year. It is a relevant advance for a sector that has been growing in recent months. It has now reached 4th position in the world as the largest civil aviation hub, behind the United States, China and Japan.
Is there a recovery in the sector?
Airports are close to full capacity. Brazilians are traveling more around Brazil. By car, boat, train, plane. This is a result of economic policy, income distribution policies, unemployment is at a historic low. This has a direct impact on tourism.
And does that explain the improvement?
Also. But Lula entered the agenda. He’s talking about Brazil, where he’s going. Talking about Alter do Chão (PA), Salvador (BA, he jumped in. We had conversations with him and he realized that he is a better poster boy than the best influencer in the country. He does this inside and outside Brazil.
You said that you intend to make Tourism represent “2 digits” of Brazilian GDP. In 2023, it was 7.8%.
We are at 8%. The sector has grown exponentially. Brazilians are traveling and the number of foreigners will reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
There were an average of 6 million tourists annually.
We already achieved this in September. We want to close above the record number of 2018, which was 6.8 million. We want to reach 7 million. Foreign spending also grew. Last year, it was more than R$34 billion. This year until September, it was more than R$30 billion. Everything suggests that we will surpass last year’s record.
Do you still have the goal of doubling the number of tourists?
Yes. We want to arrive in 2027 with 10 million foreign tourists. Last year, we closed with 5.9 million tourists.
What will your participation be like at COP29, in Baku (Azerbaijan)?
We have put together a strategy to publicize Brazilian attractions in the area of ecotourism and sustainable ecotourism and adventure, always focused on preserving the environment. We will have positive experiences from Brazil and lectures with experts. We set up “Casa Brasil” at the entrance to COP. Let’s make sure that whoever discusses this issue understands that Tourism is part of the solution for the environment.
And the next COP will be in Belém, your city…
We have a strong presentation from the city of Belém (PA). The public that goes there is a large proportion of those who are in Baku. They will come, we want them to stay longer.
And how is the availability of rooms in Belém, which was one of the concerns?
It’s over. There are a series of hotel constructions, expansion of others, inns, the number of beds has grown. And we are working with the possibility of having 2 cruise ships docking in the city.
Lula is about to announce budget cuts. How is Tourism?
From a young age I learned that working effectively means having less and producing more. So it is natural in Brazil to have budget cuts at the beginning of the 2nd semester. But it is also natural that towards the end of the year there will be an increase in revenue. The blockages are being reset. I see it as a natural concern for Minister Haddad. All governments are concerned with fiscal austerity and spending control. On the other hand, there are ministries that want to expand services, more investments, have more expansion and consequently more spending. All life is like this.
But there may be cuts in Tourism…
And I will work more effectively. With whatever we have, we will have the maximum possible results.
You don’t join the ministers who said that if there is a cut, they can leave the government…
No. If there is a cut in my area, I will work three times as much and call on my entire team to work even harder.
