Bolivian Indigenous Steer Tourism
Bolivia is celebrating Wednesday the World Day of Tourism, with a national development plan of the sector to boost the most extensive participation of indigenous communities.

Deputy Tourism Minister Jose Cox said that the aim of the plan, pending to be approved by President Evo Morales' government, is the inclusion of native peoples and inter-cultural exchange.

The official stated that with this aim, the country plans to analyze 100 community companies, successfully dedicated to tourism, and create another 1,500 units of this kind in five years.

He informed that his study has an initial capital of $100 million for the creation of a fund to finance community tourist projects.

Cox emphasized that Bolivia advocates for inclusive tourism, in which indigenous communities are not simple objects of observation for tourists.

Tourism, which is four percent of the Gross Domestic Product in Bolivia, represents the fourth most important economic activity in the Andean nation, after exports of gas, soy, and hydrocarbons by-products, official figures state.

According to Tourism Operators' National Chamber president Elizabeth Inchausti, tourism generated in 2005 earnings valued at $190 million for the country, equivalent to 6.9 percent of total exports.