Comments for Arabs Start US$ 52 Million Mineral Water Resort in South of Brazil at http://www.brazzilmag.com , comment 0 to 15 out of 15 comments http://www.brazzilmag.com Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:26:19 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_14056 Mr Hanna was interviewed yesterday on CBN radio, in Florianopolis, about the Mineral Water Resort.Apart from giving some other details about future yachting marinas, and the usual blurb about the potential for tourism, the indication is that this project is only targeted for the wellheeled. Unfortunately, questions about environmental impact on the Tabuleiro Park were not discussed. - DU 48 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:04:19 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13985 Thanks for the interesting comments. After reading the comments of Ch.c and your good self, started wondering if the target market is really the Arab tourists for this resort.Considering that there are already 2 hotels there, what is the objective of building one more for the domestic tourists? Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, famous for its mineral water, is just one of the existing resorts that would be under threat if municipal and political authorities are not constantly challenged and held accountable for public and private development. I do not think that "the political and municipal authorities are going to be challenged and held accountable for public and private development". You must be aware what happened in the case of the 2 shopping malls built and inaugurated during the past 3 years. And also in the case of "another controversial luxury residential complex" in Jurere Internacional. A great deal of public money is spent on promoting tourism in Santa Catarina but the question of sanitation is a disgrace. Not only in SC, but in other states too. I wonder what the point is in having a Minister of Tourism. - João da Silva Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:26:00 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13984 "The middle class who can afford to pay " The comments you made regarding the "Behavior and needs " of the Arab tourists in Europe are extremely interesting and useful. Thanks. - João da Silva Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:11:06 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13983 The middle class also go to the same countries I mentionned. I forgot to mention Spain. and as to your question of who are the kings spending so much money : Noooooooooooooo........not those from Central Africa because A) they dont have as much money B) they are not arabs and we are talking about arabs kings.....if I am not wrong. C) they dont have kings....but dictators. Just name any ruler from the Middle East and he comes here. And it is not for tax evasion as you will no doubt think, since they dont have any income or corporate tax in their own countries. The one spending the most money is obviously....the King of Saudi Arabia. And just for your info on your comments regarding the golf course that could/will be built in your new resort, as a general rule, arabs in their vast majority....... DONT like golf. Not even their middle class. Arabs dont like tanning either....they are already tanned. and they have even more sun than Brazil/£urope could offer. What they like most is do nothing, simple walks with their families, stay home very quiet, talking, sleeping, eating at restaurants (arabs meals).....and then shop like crazy ! The only sport they really enjoy is ski, because it is in cold and less polluted areas and in opposition to their regular lifestyle and climate in their country. The younger ones enjoy the night life. They wake up at 4.00 PM to see their relatives, and go out clubbing and drinking from 9.00 PM till the next 7.00 AM. And for clubbing they like as much the regular found everywhere but also their own way with arabic music, belly dancers anbd food. But there they prefer to see and meet the same people as themselves. Foreigners (in fact locals) are not prohibited but not very welcome either. They expect the "at home style" wherever they go. Doubtful that in your mineral water chic resort.....somewhat far away for clubbing and shopping the most luxury goods......many arabs will come. Wealthy or Not ! Ohhh and by the way........is Brazil not charging a heavy tax......on luxury goods ??????? In fact so much, that wealthy brazilians enjoy travelling abroad, so that they can do their own shopping with either a no tax or low tax base. They end up by having nearly free vacations by just avoiding the Brazilian tax on the luxury goods they buy elsewhere. And wea all know how Brazilian custom agents are open to get a gift in their hands, discreetly of course, so that he doesnt "see" what he saw !!!!!! Right or not ? :D ;D - ch.c. Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:35:22 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13981 For those in doubt, it' s official. According to a national survey published front page in the Diario Catarinense (DC) - Daily newspaper in Florianopolis, Brazil on Friday 4th April - only 45.14% of the population have access to sewage treatment in Santa Catarina's capital city, Florianopolis.Bombinhas town only has 17.49% . Sources -Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Partnership with Instituto Trata Brasil and Ministerio das Cidades. According to the latest brochure The Coastao Golf will be ''concluded'' in 2008. www.costaoville.com.br Jurere International has its own sewage treatment plant and like the CostaoVille development is allegedly illegal. Environmental Impact Assessment studies have shown that both these sites occupy dunes and beach vegetation and therefore infringe conservation laws . Jurere International has another controversial luxury residential complex under way, strangely enough being built almost in front of the existing shopping Mall . To prevent blocking the seaview, the multi-million dollar development, complete with clock tower, has been built off to one side. The Jurere 'resident' population has increased considerably, partly due to the fact that one of the best private schools has moved there. A great deal of public money is spent on promoting tourism in Santa Catarina but the question of sanitation is a disgrace.(DC) The Tabuleiro National Park which also provides the source of drinking water for Florianopolis, is also under review by Fatma -Santa Catarina State environmental agency. SUS -Brazil Public Health Service spends annually 300 million reais on hygiene related illnesses. The dengue epidemic in Rio is the consequence of the failure of public authorities to prioritise sanitation. It is absolutely vital that investors, tourists and residents in Florianopolis should be informed of the very critical situation.It is unlikely that the owners of El Divino will be able to attract well healed visitors if they become aware of the real public health issues that affect everybody. Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, famous for its mineral water, is just one of the existing resorts that would be under threat if municipal and political authorities are not constantly challenged and held accountable for public and private development. - DU 48 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:15:43 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13980 yes DomPutt@aol.com lets chat some more because I am curious to know more about floriannopolis - Dom Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:59:49 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13976 I do not know what is happening with this site.Gone crazy. DomPutt@aol.com is it right? - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:30:21 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13975 Is it omPutt@aol.com'>DomPutt@aol.com? Sorry,Dom, I wanted to write: Is it DomPutt@aol.com ? - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:27:55 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13974 Respectfully, I disagree there is a golf course on the island. Dom, that was two years ago. Last year they did set up a golf course in Costão do Santinho. I drove by and I like it, though not like the ones I have seen outside Brasil (I thought it is at least a start). Unfortunately, they did not have Kangaroos on the Golf Course and if so, I would have appreciated it better! I was there two years ago for 2 weeks and although I asked many people, there was no golf course. Jurere International is a beautiful, safe place with very good infrastructure (as far as I could tell). The properties on Jureré International are over priced. There is no golf course there. It is beautiful, but the problem is most of the homes are occupied only during 3 months of the year. I don't know if that spot is still safe. My friends say otherwise. I have my own favorite places. I spoke to a real estate agent who showed me a community to be built around a golf course but two years later I don't believe anything has happened. What is the name of the Real Estate Agency? I know the Island very well (as well as the state). Silva email me at DomPutt at aol if you want to chat better Is it DomPutt@aol.com? btw, a new golf course could be set up on the new resort that the Arabs are going to build. - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:11:57 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13973 Respectfully, I disagree there is a golf course on the island. There is a golf club but no golf course. If there is a course please tell me where it is or give me an internet link to view it. I was there two years ago for 2 weeks and although I asked many people, there was no golf course. Jurere International is a beautiful, safe place with very good infrastructure (as far as I could tell). I spoke to a real estate agent who showed me a community to be built around a golf course but two years later I don't believe anything has happened. Brazil is beautiful for the rich (over 1 million US dollars). I would love to own a beachfront property in Jurere or a house on the golf course IF OR WHEN a course is ever built. It will be a great draw and create jobs for the island. Silva email me at DomPutt at aol if you want to chat better - Dom Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:31:44 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13972 Where is this place going to be built? Is it on the island of Florianopolis? Not on the Island, Dom, it is on the mainland. About 40 minutes drive from the airport (less for other drivers). They should build a golf course on the island of Florianopolis with nice houses around the course. They do have golf courses on the Island. The community should be built in Jurere or near the ocean. Why Jurere,Dom? Please do explain. - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:07:36 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13971 Where is this place going to be built? Is it on the island of Florianopolis? They should build a golf course on the island of Florianopolis with nice houses around the course. A club house with swimming pool would also be nice. The community should be built in Jurere or near the ocean. Now that would be awesome. - Dom Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:01:07 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13970 ah, I thought you had joined your ancestors. Obviously you are alive and kicking ;) Why should they borrow at the Brazilian rate, even when subsidized but still high on an after inflation basis ? Glad that you caught on with my sarcasm! When the state owned companies were bought by the outsiders financed by the government owned banks, here are two Arabs putting their own money in a project in which they believe. [quote]- Yessss for middle class or "poor" arabs, not the wealthy because the wealthiest go to SWITZERLAND then to UK and then to France....respectively on their wealth scale [/quote] We are not really looking for the kings,their courtiers and other wealthy Arabs. The middle class who can afford to pay for their hotel charges and enjoy the beautiful surroundings as well as the hospitality of the people are most welcome.Please do remember that I know that spot very well and a regular visitor to that region where I have some friends as well as relatives! Better yet, when this king is here, many from other countries delay their arrivals, in order to not compete with him but also by respect and deference ! Sorry, Ch.c, this is not out of respect and deference. It is pure ass kissing! Where is this king from, Central African Republic? ;D - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:51:00 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13961 Why should they borrow at the Brazilian rate, even when subsidized but still high on an after inflation basis ? And on your : "I would imagine that their target market is the tourists from the Middle East and hence expect the hotel facilities to cater to the needs of the guests" - Yessss for middle class or "poor" arabs, not the wealthy because the wealthiest go to SWITZERLAND then to UK and then to France....respectively on their wealth scale ! Kings and Princes each have private real estate here valued at more than your mineral water resorts whole project ! And each of them produce more revenue in 1-3 months than your annual whole mineral water project ever will ! As a simple guideline arabs kings will spend Us$ 300-500 millions during they stay (1-3 months). Yess they love peace and secure areas but only when they are clean and with top quality services. Princes will spend Us$ 50-200 millions within the same period. with anything from 20 to 100 limousines with drivers. And as a specific example the King of Saudi Arabia has not 1 but 2 residences here. When here he spends Us$ 600 millions or so during a 3 months stay. Including 600 limousines exclusively for him and his "family tribe" ready 24/7. He even ask for a few exclusive night shoppings. Shops open only for him/them.They pillage the shops but pay CASH ! True stories ! Better yet, when this king is here, many from other countries delay their arrivals, in order to not compete with him but also by respect and deference ! :D ;D - ch.c. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:14:22 +0100 http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9225/1/#pc_13960 The investors could not have picked up a better spot to launch this enterprise. Picturesque surroundings, skilled locally available construction labor and relatively fast access to the airport,etc; Another interesting to observe is that they are not borrowing money from the government banks, but investing from their own pockets! I would imagine that their target market is the tourists from the Middle East and hence expect the hotel facilities to cater to the needs of the guests. I would love to know what sort of architectural design, the resort would be based on. - João da Silva Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:58:24 +0100