São Paulo – Balneário Camboriú, in Santa Catarina, celebrates Algeria’s qualification for the second round of the World Cup. Nearly 2,100 Algerians are hosted in Santa Catarina’s seaside city to watch the team’s games at the World Cup. The secretary of Tourism and Economic Development of Balneário Camboriú, Ademar Schneider, told ANBA that about 1,500 tourists should remain lodged in the city.
For the first time ever Algeria has moved on to the tournament’s round of eight on Thursday (26th), after tying 1-1 with Russia. Second in group H, the Arab team will face Germany this Monday (30th) at Beira-Rio stadium, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Whoever wins will move on to the quarter-finals.
“We know many Algerian tourists need to go back home, to their jobs and families, but we believe about 1,500 supporters will stay in Balneário Camboriú to watch the second round matches of Algeria. Their stay has been great for the city, as they have a higher-than-average consumption and are not only boosting tourism and restaurants, but also the commerce in the city. Shopkeepers are quite happy,” said Schneider.
According to the secretary, the revenue generated by the Algerian expenditure is, this year, making up for the decline in expenses of Argentinians, who are the main tourists of the coastline city in Santa Catarina. “Argentina is in crisis and people there are going through financial difficulties. The figures Algerians spend will help even the balance,” he said.
The Algerian attendance was already expected to increase commerce and tourism revenues, as July is low season in Balneário Camboriú. The city hosts 4.5 million tourists per year. Of this total, 50% are foreigners. Among the foreign tourists, the majority comes from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The Algerian tourists came to Brazil on Air Algérie’s charter flights, through a tour package prepared by an Algerian company and a French partner. Schneider estimates that they occupied, during the first stage of the World Cup, from 15% to 20% of the 19,000 beds at hotels in the city. If they beat Germany, Algeria will face the winner of France vs. Nigeria on Friday (4th), at the Maracanã stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
