Speaking at the Euroal 2013 tourism trade show in Spain held over the weekend, Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia proposed a single visa for Latin American countries on the lines of the Schengen visa for Europe. He said that this type of visa would ensure an increase in the flow of travelers from other continents, and would encourage multi-destination travel. “Breaking that barrier is one of the greater challenges faced by tourism in the region,” he said when making the keynote address during the conference. He said he has begun to promote the initiative that would guarantee that Latin American could be sold as a multi-destination in Europe and other continents. He is using the example of the European Community, where tourists can visit other countries covered by the Schengen agreement on a visa obtained in one member state’s consulate.
The three-day Latin America and Europe Tourism, Art and Culture International Exhibit (Euroal) exhibition took place 6-8 June at the Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions in Torremolinos. This year, the Dominican Republic was the featured nation. 31 countries take part with 80 exhibitors throughout the convention hall.