One of Brazil’s most sought after tourist destinations, Fortaleza ('Fortress'), the capital of the north-eastern state of Ceará, is sure to be a popular spot during the 2014 World Cup. Notable for its beaches - there are 15 on the outskirts of the municipality – the city has a population of around 2.5 million, with 3.4 million in the wider metropolitan area. Importantly, Fortaleza´s tight 313km2 means the city has one of the highest population densities in the country at close to 8,000 per km2.
In terms of World Cup preparations and associated opportunities, Fortaleza´s desire to host one of the key latter stage matches has ensured that it´s stadium project is at centre stage. The forecasted R$623 million refurbishment of the Castelão (big castle) stadium (officially known as Plácido Aderaldo Castelo Stadium) will lift capacity from an already impressive 60,236 to 66,700, with the main improvements including a new covering, parking and additional facilities in the stadium surrounds. Further to the latter, the concept is to transform the stadium into a major sporting centre with an attached tourism complex, including shopping centre, cinemas, restaurants and a hotel, in a bid to attract varied sporting, entertainment and cultural events to the facility.
Castelão is owned and operated by the Ceará state government, a structure that will remain in place after the upgrade. The refurbishment project was developed by Sao Paulo´s Vigliecca Associados and, although the construction tender was won at the end of July by a consortium of three Brazilian companies, a start date remains undefined with the second placed tenderer officially protesting the decision on grounds of falsification. Pending this decision, the schedule is to begin works on the exterior of the facility over the coming months, but the stadium will not be fully closed off until 2011, when interior works will begin. A December 2012 finish date is still in place
When football is not the focus, tourists will also flock to Beira-mar (sea edge) Avenue, featuring kiosks and restaurants offering regional seafood, sushi, and Brazilian dishes amongst other things, while there are also many bars and fairs in the area.