In a noteworthy display of the wide scope of infrastructure and urban redevelopments going on all around Brazil in preparation for the 2014 World Cup, a city council with no direct link to the event has just announced investments of R$70 million to set itself up as a key alternative tourist destination during the tournament.
The municipality of Cairu, which covers a string of paradisiacal islands in the state of Bahia, a region similar to tropical Queensland, will pump the funds into tourism infrastructure, workforce training and a range of improvements to tourism services in the area, all in preparation for 2014 and beyond. The move comes despite the fact that the location will not feature as an official training or acclimatization site for the event.
Upon announcing the new spending Mayor Hildécio Meireles stated that they are focused on attracting tourists visiting Salvador, the state´s capital which sits just 60km by boat, for matches during the 2014 Cup, plus those that will attend football matches scheduled for the city during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The spending will involve direct contributions from the council of R$20 million and R$25 million during the periods 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 respectively, with the remaining funds to come from state and federal government coffers or private sector partnerships, wherever possible.