Geovana Pagel*
São Paulo – Less than one week before the beginning of the summit between Arab and South American countries, Brasília is getting ready to receive over 2,000 participants who should inject around US$ 1.8 million in the city economy. Hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, transport, services and trade in general will have greater revenues.
Apart from the conference between the heads of state, to take place on May 10th and 11th, there will also be a parallel business seminar and an investment fair, from May 9th to 11th. There will also be cultural events, such as cinema, photography and music exhibitions, starting on May 6th. "There are many people arriving in Brasília today," stated Weber de Oliveira Mesquita, regional director of the Brazilian Car Rental Association (Abla).
According to him, the Brazilian capital has over 100 car rental agencies, with a fleet of around 12,000 vehicles. However, the number of executive and armoured cars was not enough to supply the demand for the event. "We had to rent cars from Goiânia (a neighbouring city, capital of the state of Goiás, in the Midwest), São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro (three cities in southern Brazil)", explained Mesquita. "We already have 28 confirmed delegations, with an average of 15 vehicles each, not counting the national delegations from the ministries," he said.
Hotel chains are among the sectors to benefit most from the event. According to information supplied by the Union of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, and Similar Organizations in the city of Brasília (Sindhobar), the average annual occupation rate at the 300 hotels and similar organizations in the city is 65%. During the summit, the main hotels will be fully booked. "We expect an average growth of 60% in movement at bars and restaurants. Some restaurants should rise as high as 100%," stated Mesquita.
Special training
Among the actions to take place for better reception of the Arab delegations, the highlight is hotel employee training by consultants specialized in the Arab countries. The Ministry of Tourism also asked that the hotels replace alcoholic beverages in the hotel mini-bars for teas. Meats will be prepared according to Islamic demands, with halal slaughter of the animals.
The rooms will also have signs showing the direction of Mecca and prayer times at the city mosque. The ministry also asked the hotels to put some signs up in Arabic, to provide a clean carpet for collective prayers, to install an Arabic cable channel and to provide a copy of the Koran.
"The Ministry of Tourism and the Brazilian Foreign Office (Itamaraty) did fundamental work. This training was very important because there are many details of the Arab culture that we do not know," stated Cesar Gonçalves, president of the Sindhobar. "We want these visitors to leave taking with them the impression of the excellence of our services," he guaranteed.
Over 80 interpreters
The summit will include simultaneous interpretation into Portuguese, Spanish, English, French and Arabic. The investment fair – with stands by Arab and Latin businessmen – and the service centre, with rooms for private meetings, will also have interpreters to help those participating.
According to information supplied by the Professional Association of Conference Interpreters (APIC), over 80 interpreters have already been selected to work at the event.
Interpreter Maria Teresa Lindsey, 58 years of age and 30 of profession, is one of those hired for the event. Teresa will work on May 9th, 10th and 11th, in the English language cabin. "Our work is always very thrilling, especially when it deals with important events like this one, where political agreements may be signed," she stated.
According to her, one of the secrets of the profession, which requires total secrecy, is liking what you do and also studying, improving constantly. "Great dedication and concentration are necessary," she explained.
*Translated by Mark Ament