S?o paulo,?Brazil?? There?s no stopping hotel growth in Brazil. And it showed during the Brazil Hospitality Investment Conference, produced by Questex Hospitality + Travel, which brought together 220 global executives and professionals from the hospitality industry, June 13 and 14 at the Tivoli Mofarrej Hotel.
Marilyn McHugh, VP of global events at Questex Hospitality + Travel, opened the conference with?Jos? Ernesto Marino, president of BSH International and chairman of the advisory board for the conference. They were accompanied by the executive secretary representing the ministry of tourism,?Valdir Moys?s, who also gave opening remarks.
In the first panel of the event??Hospitality Investment: Can the Market Fulfill the investors? expectations???Rodrigo Machado, CEO of XP Investimentos, explained the difference between the Brazilian and American model of investing in hospitality. According to Machado, ?There is not a lack of funds, but Brazil has to learn how to deal with investment funds and assume the risk until business matures and it can be opened to smaller investors.?
Jessica Rizzo, a consultant at BSH International, and Fl?via Matos, executive director of the Forum of Hospitality Operators of?Brazil?(FOHB), presented data and statistics on the Brazilian hotel market. They both were optimistic regarding potential growth in Brazil?s hotel industry and identified Brazil?s current moment a healthy one for revenue per available room. ?Aside from the World Cup and Olympics, new opportunities are being created in second cities, condo-hotels and the entry of international investors and franchises aside from the fusion of national groups and independent owners,? said Matos.
FOHB represents 25 national and international hotel groups in Brazil. In the same panel, BSH International pointed to data that show Brazil?s occupancy rate rising, annually, from 44 percent to 50 percent. Also, domestic tourism in the country continues to bud, growing 80 percent against 11 percent of international tourists There has also been a rise in hotel-related investments from 5 percent to 10 percent.
Serena Rakhlin, VP of the Trump Organization, gave the brand perspective and said the Trump name was bullish on the country. ?Brazil is one of Trump?s priorities to develop our global presence,? she said. ?The Brazilian market is of great interest and potential for Trump and we are dedicated in finding the right opportunity with the right partner. We already have a few projects that are being negotiated.?
?BHIC stimulates the relationship between executives and industry professionals,? said Questex?s McHugh. ?It is part of a series of worldwide events that occur in the main capitals of the world and Brazil completes Questex?s event plan.?