Business in Rio outperform expectations

The phrase "we have World Cup" has become mantra for entrepreneurs and trade services locals in three weeks of tournament. Sectors of hotels, bars and saloons in the city raised occupancy projections and billing, and are unanimous in considering that, in business terms, the flow of tourists at the event exceeded all expectations. Before the World Cup, the Brazilian Association of the hotel industry in Rio de Janeiro (ABIH-RJ) foresaw average 80% occupancy during the event, with prospect of 98% in the finals. This projection rose to 90%, with chance of 100% at the end of the world. Already the Union of Hotels, bars and Restaurants of Rio (SindRio) raised from 20% to 30% to high revenue estimate in bars and saloons to the days of the Championship.
In practice, the enchantment of the foreign tourist with the Rio de Janeiro propelled this scenario, according to experts. The tourism company of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (Riotur) already admits that the initial forecast of 400 thousand foreign tourists in Rio de Janeiro in the days of the World Cup must be overcome-and this volume already answered by two-thirds of the projected by the Ministry of tourism for the number of foreigners in the country.
"The best projections have been overcome," said the President of ABIH-RJ, Alfredo Lopes, when speaking of the hotel sector in Rio, with ability to 35.8 thousand rooms. The explosion of foreigners in the city was highlighted by Lee. "Typically, in high season, 70% are national tourists; and 30% foreigners. That ratio was reversed in the Cup, "he said, adding that the Latin American tourist has a lot to do with this scenario. "Many hotels already count with 100% occupancy in World every day. In business terms, is more than Carnaval and new year's Eve, "he said, noting that, unlike those dates of high season, the World Cup lasts 30 days.
The Arena Copacabana Hotel, four stars, with 135 apartments, and 100% of capacity, according to the General Manager of the unit, Douglas Viegas. The Executive agreed with Lee about the "foreign invasion" in the river and says that his mark was already attentive to the possible return of these tourists, in the post-scenario. The network asked for credit to Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) for new unit, the Arena, and Rudder got in 2013 $ 29.2 million (45% of total investment) in the BNDES program ProCopa tourism. "In 2015, we will triple the capacity, with two new hotels, the Rudder and the Arena Arena Ipanema-this, with its own resources," citing developments in neighborhoods on the South side of the same name.
This region of the city was the focus of tourists in the World Cup. Pedro of Kayla Marie, President of the Union of Hotels, bars and Restaurants (SindRio) and the network of restaurants Gula Gula noticed interesting phenomenon in its sector: while bars, bars and bakeries are now with high average revenue projection around 30% in the world, the same cannot be said of the restaurants, who arrive to report 15% drop in revenue. This performance is pulled by establishments in the Center, that meet in the offices and bemoan falling more intense than average, due to the holidays due to the World Cup. In addition, the profile of foreign tourist of the world-notably man; and of 20 to 40 years, according to Riotur-is not to spend too much, what hurt most expensive restaurants.
Among the favored by visitors ' predilection for spending less and stay on the South side is the bar owner El Cornish game hen, Geraldo Pereira, of 50 years. The establishment is in Copacabana, at the time of the Fifa Fan Fest (official party of Fifa). "My income has doubled," he said, without mentioning figures. "It's so crowded as world youth day [WORLD YOUTH DAY]," he added, citing Catholic event that attracted 3.7 million to Rio in 2013. The clerk of this kiosk beside the Fifa Fan Fest, Antonio Cruz, agrees. "In this World Cup, do 200 caipirinhas per day to the ' gringos '," he said.
Although it does not contribute to the movement in more expensive restaurants, the Copa has improved the image of the River, both in Brazil and abroad, what will interest of new entrepreneurs for long-term projects. The President of DZ in energy and Business Director of the national agency of petroleum, Natural gas and biofuels (ANP) David Zylbersztajn, who came in as a partner of casa de carnes Rubaiyat River. With $ 10 million investment, the new network will debut on Rubaiyat unit Rio de Janeiro in June. For there are public restaurants Zylbersztajn of high average ticket in town-and the competition for that market only tends to increase in the coming years. "And competition is good for everybody," he said. He says believe in continuity of expressive flow of foreigners into the river.
The Riotur agrees. In addition to the predicted in foreigners, the River was also averaging 450 thousand national tourists, according to the municipal Secretary of tourism, Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello. The estimate that the event move r $ 1 billion in the economy of the river still stands and, now, the company's focus is to get these tourists back to the city. "Our planning is based on three pillars: participation in fairs and events, promotion of the tourist calendar, and in special events," he said.
Among foreign tourists, the River seems to have conquered since the high purchasing power of even the lowest income. The Australian and owner of a chain of cafeterias Greg Aobotos, of 38 years, watched the World Cup games in Curitiba and Sao Paulo, and made the check in a four star hotel on the seafront of Copacabana. "Is a lovely city, my favorite so far, and I didn't feel violent or dangerous," he said. The same impression had the Frenchman Jean Louis Caussins, 43 years old, who works in the financial market and came up with three friends, straight from the South of France. "We are ten days ago here, and loving it. Let's go back, "he said.
Physical education teacher unemployed, the Chilean Yerko Urrutia, of 29 years also intends to go back, this time with the family. But it's not going to stay in hotels with stars, but in the same way that came to the World Cup: the "motorhome" (trailer). "The hosting is too expensive," he said. The same complaint made the Argentine Walter Williams, of 32 years, bartender, who rented a room in the community of Rocinha to watch the World Cup. "A lot cheaper," he said.
The change in tone of the foreign press to refer to the tournament and the prominence that the river has received international coverage also contributes to tourists, notably in South America, fix go to Rio de Janeiro even after the World Cup began, in the analysis of the Economist Mauro Osorio, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). "They saw that the catastrophic forecasts, transport problems and even outbreak of violent protests, if not confirmed," he said.
The professor of finance from Ibmec-Rio, Nelson de Souza, even with flow of tourists beyond the expected, the impact on the economy of the river can be temporary. "There is no guarantee that the flow of tourists continues to rise the same way after the World Cup. In addition, the tourist who return can be whatever you spend less; come by car; and purchase in supermarkets and restaurants won't, "mused. "We need to wait and see."