Last chance for Rio 2016 tickets

Today is the last day to register for Rio 16 and have the best chance of securing tickets for your preferred event.

For your chance to be at the first Olympic and Paralympic Games held in South America visit the website and fill out the form.

Signing up will give you the opportunity to select the sports you most want to see, receive updates for Olympic partners and get information about any events taking place before the games kick off.

These will include the Aquece Rio test events, the Olympic Torch Relay, and the Cultural Olympiad.

In June, the results of the first random ticket draw for the games will be revealed. The second draw will take place in July, with results revealed in August.

Only people registered for the first stage will be eligible to participate in the second draw, and those people will take priority in the bid to get tickets.

Participants will also be advised to choose new sports and sessions according to availability.

Tickets not sold during the random draw period will then go on sale for Brazil residents in October.

Michelin Is Launching a Guide to Brazil

Alex Atala has become Brazil’s first chef to score two Michelin stars in the inaugural edition of the Michelin guide for his Sao Paulo restaurant D.O.M.

Atala, widely cited as the unofficial ambassador of native, Brazilian cuisine, is the highest ranked chef according to an early preview published on Michelin’s official site ahead of the official announcement.

The inaugural guide for Brazil focuses on Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and features a total of 17 starred restaurants. Sao Paulo dominates the list, with 11 restaurants and six eateries coming from Rio.

It comes as no surprise that Atala makes his debut in the Michelin world, given his string of accolades and awards.

In addition to winning the title of best restaurant in Brazil in 2013, Atala was also named the Lifetime Achievement Winner by organizers of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurant last year.

“Bringing to the fore Tupinquim ingredients that were overlooked by or unfamiliar to other renowned chefs, such as priprioca, black rice and pupunha palm heart, his cooking surprises and stimulates the palate, offering a veritable journey through the flavors, textures and produce of Brazil,” reads a blurb on the Michelin site. “Passion and a prodigious technical skill have resulted in his innovative, creative and seasonal cuisine becoming a reference point for Brazilian cooking.”

Here are the starred restaurants in Brazil, representing modern, Brazilian, French and Japanese cuisines:

Two-Stars

D.O.M., Sao Paulo

One-Star

Huto, Sao Paulo
Dalva e Dito, Sao Paulo
Oro, Rio de Janeiro
Roberta Sudbrack, Rio de Janeiro
Kinoshita, Sao Paulo
Epice, Sao Paulo
Kosushi, Sao Paulo
Tuju, Sao Paulo
Le Pré Catelan, Rio de Janeiro
Olympe, Rio de Janeiro
Attimo, Sao Paulo
Maní, Sao Paulo
Jun Sakamoto, Sao Paulo
Mee, Rio de Janeiro
Lasai, Rio de Janeiro
Fasano, Sao Paulo

Airlines passengers in Brazil rely on technology for better travel

SITA conducted its research across 15 countries with nearly 6,300 participants. The results show that passengers in Brazil are using technology to enhance their journey. More than half of passengers who carry smartphones are using airline apps on a regular basis, 43% use travel agency apps and 38% use airport apps.

More airline passengers in Brazil carry a smartphone than in other parts of the world. The SITA–ATW Passenger Survey reveals that 85% of passengers in Brazil carry smartphones compared to the global average of 81%.  A significantly higher percentage of these passengers use apps from airlines, airports and travel agencies compared with passengers from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, making Brazil’s passengers among the most connected in the world.

SITA, which provides technology to airlines and airports around the world, conducted its research across 15 countries with nearly 6,300 participants. The results show that passengers in Brazil are using technology to enhance their journey. More than half of passengers who carry smartphones are using airline apps on a regular basis, 43% use travel agency apps and 38% use airport apps.

When it comes to booking their flights, passengers in Brazil are also picking up their smartphones and tablets faster than their counterparts in other parts of the world. Some 43% of them regularly use their smartphone to book flights, this compares to the global average of 31%. In Brazil, 42% take advantage of the larger screen and regularly use tablets to book flights. This use of mobile technology is set to continue to rise – when asked which channels they would use more for tickets and services, if all equally available, 60% of passengers said smartphone apps and 53% tablets.

Mauro Pontes, SITA Vice President, Brazil, said: “Airline passengers in Brazil are turning to technology to improve their journey. They are the pioneers across the Americas, when looking to the future we see that more of them expect (64%) to use smartphone apps for check-in compared to other countries in the region. The rate expected in Mexico is 61% while only 43% the USA.”

More than half of passengers in Brazil (55%) regularly use a smartphone app for flight information. This is higher than in other regions in both Mexico (44%) and the USA (46%). In the unfortunate case of flight disruptions, passengers in Brazil are also turning to their mobile technology to ease the experience.

Pontes added: “Airlines should take note that in the case of disruptions, such as a flight being cancelled, 64% of passengers expect to get a message via a mobile app, while 58% expect a call to their mobiles and 54% an email. This demonstrates the opportunity for airlines to leverage technology to support communications during these challenging periods.” – See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/65073/airlines-passengers-in-brazil-rely#sthash.IaJ6vZar.dpuf

Brazil Pavilion for Expo Milan 2015 takes shape

Aiming to bring Brazil’s diversity to the Expo Milan 2015, the colorful country has commissioned Studio Arthur Casas and Atelier Marko Brajovic to represent and transmit their values into the design of their pavilion.

The theme for this year’s expo is ‘feeding the world in solutions’ and Brazil’s aim is to highlight the country’s values and agricultural aspirations through the architecture of their pavilion by using sensorial immersion through interactive learning and technology. the space aspires to be a hub that brings people together and is accentuated by the proposed public square to attract curiosity.

The construction suggests the concept of erasing boundaries. the earthy colored and porous nature made of iron will be fully open with the tensile structure creating unexpected niches for visitors to sit and socialize. a ramp systems encourages a smooth and gradual transition from exterior to interior, but also reflects the traditional brazilian modernism of previous pavilions.

rope will be used for the tensile outer structure
image by filipo poli

Dictated by four key themes: natural wisdom, empire of colors, human power and creative fusion, the exhibition itself, developed by Atelier Marko Brajovic will highlight Brazil’s past, exuberant present and optimistic development for the future. the exhibition spaces along with a pop-up store, restaurant, cafe and bar will be located at the rear of the pavilion, all interconnected by atrium to maximize natural light.

image by filipo poli

renderings of the completed pavilion from front
image by studio arthur casas

image by studio arthur casas

the tensile structure incorporates areas of rest and leisure
image by studio arthur casas

bar area
image by studio arthur casas

image by studio arthur casas

pop-up store
image by studio arthur casas

digital technology used in the exhibits encouraging interaction
image by studio arthur casas

Rising mortgage lending continues to boost Brazilian real estate performance

Even in the face of slower economic growth, the latest mortgage data has revealed that real estate lending reached record levels in Brazil during 2013.

Brazil’s large housing deficit and government programs for low-income buyers are seen as principal reasons behind the real estate industry’s impressive performance. In fact, the mortgage market in Brazil grew by over 30% in 2013, reaching a record 46 billion USD, with nearly 530,000 properties financed. Of that, the state owned bank Caixa Econômica Federal leads the market with almost 70% of the total loans.

It is worth noting that the housing deficit continues to be a major reason for the rising real estate market, defying the wider economic down-cycle. Many Brazilians are buying homes to live in, in order to satisfy their primary accommodation needs, rather than pure investment. And although discussions were had some years ago about a potential housing bubble in Brazil, many local bankers believe that real estate and lending growth remains sustainable due to genuine housing need of the population and tighter rules on mortgage lending. In particular, Brazilian regulations require substantially higher deposits for mortgaged property purchases than seen in the US and European countries.

If we look at the Brazilian mortgage market as a proportion of GDP, it still remains on a rising curve. In 2013, the mortgage to GDP ratio amounted to around 7.9%, an increase from 6.8% in 2012. Looking back to 2007, this ratio was as low as 1.8%, indicating clearly a steep growth curve.
Screenshot_16_03_2015_15_30

However, the mortgage to GDP ratio, which is still under 10%, indicates an infancy growth stage in comparison to many other developed and emerging economies. For instance, in Chile this ratio is 20% and in Mexico 12%; whilst in comparison to developed Western economies, the difference is much higher. In the UK, the ratio of mortgages to GDP is 81%, in the US 73%, and in Sweden 60.4%. Thus Brazil’s mortgage to GDP ratio suggests good scope for further growth.

According to the Brazilian Association of Real Estate and Savings (ABECIP) in May 2014 there was a 6% rise in mortgage lending compared to the previous month, posting the second best month-on-month growth over the last 20 years. This indicates that the availability of mortgages is growing and it is easier to obtain mortgage finance.However, the mortgage to GDP ratio, which is still under 10%, indicates an infancy growth stage in comparison to many other developed and emerging economies. For instance, in Chile this ratio is 20% and in Mexico 12%; whilst in comparison to developed Western economies, the difference is much higher. In the UK, the ratio of mortgages to GDP is 81%, in the US 73%, and in Sweden 60.4%. Thus Brazil’s mortgage to GDP ratio suggests good scope for further growth.

Some commentators believe that this rise in lending may be a cause of concern however CEO and founder of Agente Imovel, Johan Jonsson commented in July 2014 that it could be at least 10 years before there is any cause for concern over rising levels of lending. His opinion is based on the comparison with the developed economies and added that almost 50% of property transactions performed in Brazil are done completely without financing.

It is here where Palm Springs Natal presents the perfect opportunity for Brazilian residents and the local property market. Improved access to mortgage finance means than now Brazilians can own their own slice of the exclusive beachside condominium developed by Ritz-G5, situated in proximity of Muriu beach in Natal, one of the finest beaches in the whole of North East. The location offers direct access to the RN-60 – the main highway linking Palm Springs to central Natal – providing residents with easy access to the City as well as Natal’s newly built international airport, São Gonçalo do Amarante.

Palm Springs incorporates 40% density build in its masterplan so residents can enjoy luxurious landscaped surroundings and spectacular beach and ocean views as well as all the trappings of a modern tropical oasis (natural springs, swimming pools, spa, hot tub, sauna, and football and beach volleyball courts).

Following its completion in January 2014, the development has been a unique success story, where not only the wealthy and celebrities have been purchasing plots with a view to building the homes of their dreams but also middle-class Brazilians.

For more information on Ritz-G5 or investing in Palm Springs Natal, contact the team on +44 207 183 7565 or visit http://www.ritz-G5.com.

Brazil poised to become major destination for Arab tourists

The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) has expressed confidence that the number of Arab travelers visiting Brazil will grow further significantly in the coming years. Brazil saw a strong influx of visitors from Middle Eastern countries last year especially at the height of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Figures released by Sao Paulo International Airport (GRU Airport) put the combined passenger traffic by Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc last year at 564,956, up a high 27.7 per cent from 2013. During the same period, the report said Emirates Airlines carried the most passengers at 203,621, followed by Etihad at 150,187.

Middle Eastern travelers, who are known for their love of football, also spent USD 2.7 million in Brazil, last year’s venue of the World Cup, to join thousands of fans from across the globe in witnessing firsthand the much-awaited sporting competition. This was according to a report released by Visa Inc., which also stated that the UAE was the highest Gulf spender at USD 1.14 million. The country ranked 30th on the list of global purchasers at the World Cup, followed by Saudi Arabia at 39 with a total spending of USD 607,000. Qatar, meanwhile, landed on the 53rd spot with its spending totaling more than USD 317,000.

Dr. Michel Alaby, Secretary General and CEO, ABCC, said: “We are optimistic that more Arab tourists will fly to Brazil in the coming years to explore the beauty of the Latin American nation and experience its warm hospitality and culture. The 2014 FIFA World Cup, which admittedly bolstered the number of Arab visitors to the country, only further fuelled their interest in Brazil. We are confident that a high number of Arab football fans will go back to country, this time to explore its many beautiful and one-of-a-kind tourist spots.”

“There are many tourist destinations in Brazil that have caught the attention of Arabs. The most famous of these places are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, and the country’s northeast region. Aside from vibrant bilateral trade between Brazil and the Arab World, we at ABCC also strive to promote strong cultural and tourism ties between the two parties in recognition of tourism’s crucial role in their respective socio-economic advancement. In the future, we hope to see a large segment of Brazil’s international tourist arrivals coming from the Arab World and vice versa. This is achievable through continuous cooperation and collaboration among concerned authorities and organizations from the region and the country,” he added.

The World Travel & Tourism Council report released last year showed that Brazil was the 6th economy in the world in terms of tourism. In 2014, the report predicted a substantial 21.8 per cent growth in tourism sector investments compared to the global average of 5.7 per cent.

Brazil is further promoting itself as a key tourist destination for Arab tourists amidst the Middle East’s growing disposable income. In terms of outbound travel, the region was among the world’s largest source markets with a three per cent market share in 2013.

Singapore remains Asia’s biggest investor in overseas property

Real estate firm CBRE has identified Singapore as the top Asian investor in 2014 with US$11.9 billion  of cross-border real estate investment, an increase from 2013.

Overseas investments by Singapore-based property investors rose to US$11.9 billion last year from US$9.4 billion in 2013, according to estimates by CBRE, making the city-state Asia’s largest source of outbound real estate investments for a second year.

CBRE, a real estate services firm, also said Asian outbound real estate investment had a record year in 2014 – reaching US$40 billion, an increase of 23 per cent over 2013.

“Singapore maintained its position as the number one source of outbound capital, closely followed by China and Hong Kong,” Ada Choi, Senior Director for CBRE Research Asia, said in a statement on Monday (Mar 2).

“Singaporean investors looked offshore as a result of compressed yields in their home market and a shortage of investible assets, while Chinese outbound growth was in particular driven by the emergence of new sources of real estate capital, particularly insurers as they sought to increase their allocation to real estate under more relaxed rules,” she added.

The second half of 2014 saw Chinese and Taiwanese insurers begin to feature prominently in global real estate markets, with both accounting for a large portion of the Asian outbound capital.

“The emergence of sources of new capital such as the Chinese and Taiwanese insurance companies will make a significant mark on global real estate markets in the coming years,” said Ms Choi.

CBRE said that while London, Tokyo, Sydney, Shanghai and New York remained popular with Asian investors, there has been a movement of funds into secondary gateway cities such as Paris and Los Angeles as well as regional centers of the UK.

“This trend can be best seen in the falling concentration of the top five global destinations among the total pool of Asian cross-border investment,” said Mr Marc Giuffrida, Executive Director of Global Capital Markets, Asia. Investment in London and New York alone saw an on-year decrease of 17 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively.

While office continued to be the preferred asset class, particularly for new investors, there was a significant uptick in activity in hotels and industrial assets, which offered better yields amid lesser competititon from other investors.

Ritz-G5 brings in the Chinese New Year with lively Singapore event

With Chinese New Year celebrations taking place around the world, Ritz-G5 was delighted to host a lively event on 3 March 2015 at Gardens by the Bay to welcome in the year of the sheep. The event saw more than 800 people in attendance, enjoying good company, traditional entertainment and a fabulous feast.

The entertainment took the form of a Lion Dance, a traditional dance that is believed to bring good luck to the home or business at which it is performed. During Chinese New Year, homes and businesses hang auspicious green vegetables on poles or place them on tables in front of their premises. The vegetables are bound together with a red envelope containing money and also sometimes other auspicious fruit such as oranges.

Lion dance troupes tour local areas, plucking the greens from their positions after dancing around them like an inquisitive cat. The lion “eats” each bundle, before spitting the greens back out and keeping the red envelope, which is the troupe’s reward for the dance. The tradition plays on the Chinese words cǎi (採, pluck), cài (菜, meaning vegetable) and cái (财, meaning fortune) and is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the venues at which it is performed.

Ritz-G5′s Arun Rama comments,

“It was fantastic to see so many of our guests enjoying the traditional festivities as we celebrated Chinese New Year together. The Lion Dance was extremely well received and the traditional Lou Hei ensured that everyone in the room was able to celebrate the coming of the new year together and to wish for peace and prosperity as part of it.”

Lou Hei (also known as yusheng, yee sang, yuu sahng, lo hei and prosperity toss) is a traditional meal made with ingredients that combine to symbolize abundance and luck for the future. The dish is made in stages, each of them significant and symbolic.

Firstly, the yusheng is put on the table as new year’s greetings such as “congratulations for your wealth” and “may all your wishes be fulfilled” are offered. It is then filled with:

• Fish, for abundance and excess
• Pomelo or lime, for luck
• Pepper, for the attraction of wealth and treasures
• Oil, to encircle the ingredients and encourage money to flow from all directions
• Carrots, for good luck
• Green radish, for eternal youth
• White radish, for prosperity in business and promotion at work
• Peanut crumbs, for a household filled with gold and silver
• Sesame seeds, for prosperity in business
• Yusheng sauce, to ensure life is always sweet
• Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows, so that the floor will always be full of gold

With so many people joining in the celebration and enjoying the feast, Ritz-G5 is certainly looking forward to an auspicious year ahead!

For more information on Ritz-G5, contact the team on +44 207 183 7565 or +65 6432 6278 or visit www.ritzproperty.com.

Brazil’s Rousseff asks nation to back austerity plan

President Dilma Rousseff appealed to Brazilians on Sunday to back fiscal austerity policies, while saying that the belt-tightening will last as long as needed and results will only start showing at the end of this year.

With the economy stalled and ties with her coalition allies in disarray due to a corruption probe at state-run oil company Petrobras, Rousseff needs support for unpopular steps to reduce a gaping deficit and save Brazil’s investment grade rating on its debt from a downgrade by ratings agencies.

“This is a process that will last as long as necessary to rebalance our economy,” Rousseff said in a nationally televised speech marking International Women’s Day. She said she expected the economy to start recovering at the end of this year.

The leftist leader said belt-tightening started with cutbacks in government spending and moved on to reducing tax breaks and subsidies for credit.

Rousseff’s plans to cut unemployment and pension benefits, however, have met with resistance from within her own Workers’ Party. And a decree to raise payroll taxes paid by businesses was thrown out by her main ally in the Senate last week.

That almost unprecedented congressional maneuver was a sign of how fallout from the multibillion-dollar kickback scandal at Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as Petrobras is formally known, threatens Rousseff’s agenda.

The graft scandal and economic slump have hurt Rousseff’s popularity. During her speech, residents in some neighborhoods of Brazil’s biggest cities booed and banged on pans, calling for her to quit.

Rousseff told Brazilians that temporary sacrifices would be needed to restore the government’s overdrawn accounts.

She blamed a global economic slowdown and a severe drought for Brazil’s current woes. There was no admission of mistakes in the economic policies of her first term that undermined investor confidence and helped push the world’s seventh economy toward recession.

In an attempt to spur investment, Rousseff said her government plans to grant new concessions to build roads, railways, ports and airports this year and enter into new partnerships with the private sector.

Carnival de Natal

If you are somewhat new to the Carnival in  Natal Brazil carnaval culture, then this short information will provide you with fast facts and tips about the festivals and celebrations held in Natal during the carnival season.

Carnival in Natal – Brazil

The Natal Brazil Carnival is very different from those held in other Brazilian cities which thousands of people attend. Natal Carnival, in comparison, is quieter and somewhat subdued. Although attempts are made by the local government to beef up the Carnival de Natal festivities to attract tourist attention, it still can’t compare to the pomp and pageantry of those in other cities in Brazil.

It isn’t really a bad thing for Natal as the city isn’t actually known for holding a huge carnival. While it is known to tourists for its great beachfront attractions, its carnival is more restrained and has a smaller crowd. If you have very little idea of what Brazil carnaval culture is all about, then a Natal Carnival is your ideal entry point.

The Carnival de Natal is held is late February or early March. It is a celebration marked by eating, drinking, dancing, and having a generally good time. In bigger cities, this will mean the temporary closure of main thoroughfares that can create traffic problems. That’s not the case in Natal. Since its carnival is smaller, the celebration is held on the beaches to avert congestion and crowd concentration within the city.

Although smaller, Natal Carnival has a lot of things in common with the larger Brazilian carnivals. It has costume parties, cultural performances, lavish food and drinks, various ethnic dances, and live bands. There is a Carnival day just for children which is held during the day. Carnival for adults usually start after sundown and can go on until way past midnight.

One of the popular Brazil Carnaval attraction is the Trio Electrico. These large trucks each carry a particular band who play music and incite onlookers to party as they pass through the streets. People will have to pay cash in order to wear the band’s shirt that will allow them to dance aboard the truck. Although Natal doesn’t have a similarly extravagant setup, they do use some trucks during the Carnival to play rock and reggae music as they drive through the streets.

In a laid back version of a Rio de Janeiro Carnival celebration, several respectable samba schools in Natal put on their own show during the parade. The performances start at around 8 at night and go on until about 2 in the morning, three nights every week. Several samba schools will perform every night, after which one winner will be chosen at the Carnival’s end.

Carnival de Natal is much safer than the big popular ones, especially if you’re new to the carnival scene. Furthermore, Natal Carnival doesn’t require cash to watch and participate in. If you don’t like the loud and rowdy Brazil Carnaval scene that can keep you up all night, then the Natal Carnival is just right for you. It provides just the right amount of fun and excitement without ruining the rest of your vacation.

Festa Junina (Saint John’s Day)

Festa Junina, known as Midsummer Day in some European countries, is a Portuguese feast day dedicated to St. John. Introduced in the northeastern region of Brazil on the 24^th of June centuries ago, it is one of the oldest and most-awaited festivals of the year in Natal. Unlike the Europeans that hold their celebration during the summer solstice, the Brazilian festival takes place during the winter solstice.

Festa Junina traditionally starts after June 12 and is celebrated until June 29. During this period, there is much fireworks, bonfire and street dancing. What was once an exclusively rural festival is now a large urban celebration where revellers dress up in costumes and impersonate peasant clichés and stereotypes all in the spirit of good fun. Spectacular display of fireworks and cultural dancing, as well as native dishes, are abundant. So is heavy drinking, singing and noisemaking. Like the Midsummer Day in Europe, Festa Junina is always characterized by numerous bonfires all over the city.

Carnatal

While Natal Brazil Carnaval is small and restrained in Natal, Carnatal is the largest off-season Carnival or “micareta” in the city. It is held every year in December in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. Carnatal, like other micaretas, differ from the samba dance school performances in the streets of Rio.

The micareta’s central attraction is a large truck similar to the Trio Electrico. These trucks are wired for sound and has a live band performing on board. A large crowd of singing and dancing people follow the trucks through the streets. To be allowed to follow a truck, you must purchase admittance from one of the several sponsors or “blocos”. These sponsors hire the performing bands, sell tickets and manages those that are allowed access.

If you plan to attend any of these celebrations, be sure to book your accommodation in advance as hotels in Natal fill up quickly during Brazil Carnaval season.