Brazil Preview November 2010

T H E F I R S T U . S . P U B L I C A T I O N D E D I C A T E D E X C L U S I V E L Y T O B U S I N E S S , T R A V E L A N D B I L A T E R A L T R A D E W I T H B R A Z I L

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CRUISE CONTROLRECORD WAVES OF TOURISTS TAKE TO THE HIGH SEAS TO EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF BRAZIL

MANAUS, GATEWAYTO THE AMAZON,SOARS IN BUSINESSAND ECOTOURISM

DOUBLEEXPOSURE

JOVINO SANTOS NETOTHE THREE-TIME LATINGRAMMY NOMINEESTRIKES AGAIN WITH A NEW CD OF DUETS

PROPERTYVALUESREAL ESTATEHOLDS THE SPOTLIGHTAT CITYSCAPELATIN AMERICA

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contents // NOVEMBER 2010

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Editor-in-Chief

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Contrib. Editor (US)

Contrib. Editors (Brazil)

Contrib. Writers

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3ManausDuty-free status and a strong ecotourism business keeps this city in Amazonas on the map.

Cruise ControlBRAZIL'S CRUISE INDUSTRY RIDES A MIGHTY WAVE OF SUCCESS. FIND OUT WHICH SHIPS ARE HITTING THE HIGH SEAS.

4 EconomyBrazilian currency soars against the sagging United States dollar. Here's the inside story.

10 MusicJovino Santos Neto's latest release further establishes the pianist/composer as one the greats.

11CityscapeReal estate is the name of the game at South America's largest land/development convention.

Brazil Preview is published once a month and inserted in The Miami Herald. The entire content of Brazil Preview is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The Brazil Preview editorial board may not necessarily agree and is not responsible for opinions expressed by our columnists.

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Oxford Group knows that QUALITY legal services and support are key to securing success for any business, especially for businesses seeking to establish or expand

their operations into a new country. For this reason, Oxford Group has positioned itself as a key resource for corporations seeking to take advantage of the inumerous opportunities that exist within Brazil. This quality support and expert service puts businesses on the right track to take advantage of this open market with solid legal orientation and a consistently reliable market information at the most cost efficient rate available. Regarding business with Brazil, Oxford Group excels in attaining desired results in services and is likely to be the only company that is able to conform promised quality in providing your company with: corporate documents and industrial facilities registry; promotion, marketing and exporting of products and services; selection of partners and suppliers; travel arrangements for entities and government agencies on business missions.

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C ities with highly developed industrial centers and populations that approach 2 million people typically don’t scream

“ecotourism destination.” Then again, Manaus—capital of the state of Amazonas—isn’t your ordinary Brazilian metropolis.

The eighth largest city in all of Brazil is a gate-way to the jungle tours that lead visitors deep into the Amazon rainforest. But with the imple-mentation of a free-trade zone in 1967, Manaus also emerged as a hotbed for industrial, agricul-tural and commercial investment.

The duty-free status went a long way toward reinventing a city that, back in the late 19th century, was ground zero for the rubber boom in Brazil. The region prospered as rubber tap-pers extracted raw latex from tree trunks in the Amazon—and struggled when Brazil eventually lost its stranglehold on the rubber business.

The free-trade zone, which eliminated import tariffs over products purchased in foreign coun-tries, not only gave Manaus a strong industrial and commercial platform, it prompted other Brazilian manufacturers—and many foreign manufacturers—that depend on imported tech-nology to set up shop in Manaus.

Look no further than the transportation in-dustry to see the impact that duty-free status has had on Manaus. No less than 11 motorcycle fac-tories have established bases in the city. Earlier

this year, Honda, which opened its first factory in Manaus in 1976, cut the ribbon on a new, even larger plant here. The investment of more than $50 million will increase the Japanese company’s capacity from 1.5 to 2 million bikes a year—more than the 25 other motorcycle brands’ output combined. In Brazil, for every 100 motorcycles sold, 77 carry the Honda brand, all built in Manaus. To sup-port such industry, Manaus also counts on 50 motorcycle parts factories to help maintain the 15,000 jobs created by this specific sector.

The computer industry has a strong foothold in Manaus. Digitron, for example, has been building computer components since 1986 and is the only manufacturer licensed and certified to build and distribute Intel motherboards in Brazil. The high demand by Brazilian consum-ers led Digitron to forge a partnership with Western Digital to start building hard drives in Manaus. The move is part of Western Digital’s investment in Brazil, China and India as it at-tempts usurp Seagate as the industry’s undis-puted leader.

As impressive as its burgeoning industrial sector is, Manaus remains one of the world’s most popular ecotourism destinations. It’s no wonder given the spectacular environmental sights. Waters from the rivers Negro and So-

limões, for example, produce a breathtaking sight found nowhere else in the world. These two giants, which merge to form the Amazon River, differ in temperature, speed and color. The result is two bodies of water rolling side by side for over five miles without mixing.

The popularity of alternative, environmen-tally driven tours has placed exotic lodging op-tions in the spotlight. Many of them, although located in remote branches of the Amazon and

Negro rivers, offer world-class service combined with jungle activities that have to be seen to be believed.

Ariaú Towers ho-tel, situated along the margin of the Rio Ne-gro, about 37 miles from Manaus, is a particularly stunning treat. The entire re-

sort, built over stilts, offers incredible views of the jungle. If you want to get closer to the ac-tion, this hotel—and many others—offers canoe rides, piranha fishing, hiking and even a visit to authentic Indian villages. Still not sold? Check out the guest list through the years; everyone from Bill Gates to Susan Sarandon to the Span-ish Royal Family has stayed at Ariaú Towers.

But if you want to see the area that has been featured on the CBS’ reality show “Survivor,” make sure you come well prepared. After all, it’s not by chance that this place also was depicted in the movie “Anaconda.”

Dual PersonasMANAUS, THE AMAZONAS STATE CAPITAL, HOSTS ONE OF BRAZIL’S LARGEST INDUSTRIAL CENTERS—ALL WHILE MAINTAINING ITS STATUS AS AN ECOTOURISM DESTINATION.

If you go to Manaus

HOW TO GOTAM Airlines has daily nonstop flights from Miami to Manaus. Depending upon the choice of hotel, the transfer is made by car, van or boat.

WHERE TO STAYTropical Manauswww.tropicalmanaus.comPark Suites Manauswww.parksuitesmanaus.com.brAnavilhanas Jungle Lodgewww.anavilhanaslodge.comAriaú Amazon Towerswww.ariautowers.comAmazon Jungle Palacewww.amazonjunglepalace.com.br

WHAT TO DO• Teatro Amazonas – One of the icons from the rubber-tapping era, the theater first opened in 1896. The neoclassic façade painted pink and a dome made of 36,000 ceramic scales using the colors of Brazil’s flag make this a must-see landmark. Thirty-minute guided tours are available.• Cruise the Amazonas River – Options abound between three- and seven-day cruises. Prices vary depending upon the duration and style of vessel. Most of them include canoe rides, jungle trekking, bird watching and fishing.• Meeting of the Waters – Watch the dark Rio Negro and the muddy Solimões roll side by side for almost five miles without mixing their water. Most tours will take all day and will include a visit to an Indian village, jungle trekking, canoe rides through the mangrove and a meal. Watch for the famed pink dolphins.• Try the local fare – Known in the U.S. as Peacock Bass, the tucunaré is a succulent fish that must be tried in this region. Also, try the pirarucu and tambaqui, co-stars of the abundant freshwater delicacies.

• Ponta Negra – This bohemian and upscale area of Manaus is actually a river beach, framed by high rises, a sports complex, amphitheaters, bars and restaurants. Just keep in mind that the sandy beach only appears during the dry period (from August through January).• Anavilhanas Archipealago – One of the world’s largest freshwater archipealagos, the region features about 400 small islands. Most tours will offer packages that include meals and a ride through Rio Negro. n

first stop // INSIDE THE MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS OF BRAZIL

MANAUS

THE MANAUS SKYLINE. RIGHT: THE NEW HONDA MOTORS ASSEMBLY LINE

BUILT ON STILTS, THE ARIAÚ

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economy

T he real is on a roll. The Brazilian currency—sym-bol R$—has risen nearly 35 percent against the U.S. dollar since January 2009 (see chart). Besides being the dominant currency in Latin Ameri-

ca, the real’s appreciation is far outpacing growth of the world’s major currencies as measured against the dollar.

There are several factors underpinning the real’s surge. First is foreign investment flowing into Brazil (see chart), now viewed as a safe haven given its robust economic prospects when compared to the sluggish and un-certain business environ-ments in industrialized countries. This trend is being driven, in part, by Federal Reserve policy in the U.S., which is pursu-ing near-zero interest rates and monetary pump-priming via “quantitative easing” (printing money to buy government bonds) in an effort to jump start the American economy. The Fed’s actions are having a devaluing impact on the dollar, which has tumbled 23 percent since January as measured by the trade-weighted dollar index.

On the Brazilian side of the equation, the real is benefit-ing from dynamic growth expansion while much of the industrialized world is stalled. Reinforcing this expansion is the increasing perception of Brazil as an economically powerful nation with sustainable political stability. It is ranked third among all nations as a major recipient of for-eign direct investment over the 2010-13 period, has highly diversified export markets and one of the lowest unem-ployment rates in the world.

The ascent of the real is causing some concern among investors and Brazilian policy makers who fear a bubble in the making—an overheating of the economy by pumping too much money into the system resulting in easy credit, rising inflation, and over-speculation. Indeed, the Brazil-ian government has taken steps to stem the real’s rise in the form of dollar buying and the imposition of taxes on foreign investments (although that has had limited effect).

Fears of weakening export demand also have been without merit to this point. In fact, Brazil’s export growth through September continues to surpass that of imports with a cumulative trade balance of US$12.8 billion so far in 2010. A key reason is China’s continuing strong reliance on Brazilian commodities, which is underpinning Brazil’s exports despite higher costs wrought by the real’s appre-ciation. This trend shows no sign of abating.

Most importantly, over the long haul, is the sustain-ability of a strong real and its ability to gain major cur-rency status. Both prospects are promising due to a shift in the global economic structure that sees Brazil becoming wealthy and more influential vis-à-vis developed nations—especially the U.S. —that are burdened with huge debts, thus diminishing their economic power.

This structural trend is driving the current shift in in-vestment away from industrialized countries—where economic growth and higher unemployment are likely to persist for years—and toward emerging ones, like Brazil, where higher investment returns will firmly support the real over the long haul. n

by Brad Williamson*

‘Real’ StrengthBRAZIL’S SAFE-HAVEN STATUS AMID A STALLED GLOBAL ECONOMY PROPELS THE COUNTRY’S CURRENCY TO NEW HEIGHTS.

The Brazilian currency has risen nearly 35 percent against the

U.S. dollar since January

2009.

BRAZIL REAL (R$) VS. US$

iSHARES MSCI BRAZIL INDEX

20102009

*Brad Williamson is Managing Director of Americas Economics Group LLC,

a Miami economic consultancy.

Brazilian-AmericanChamber of Commerce of FloridaEXPAND YOUR BUSINESS IN BRAZIL WITHOUT LEAVING THE UNITED STATES.

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T he Brazilian-American Chamber of Com-merce of Florida (BACCF) plays an important role in fomenting business and investment be-tween Brazil and Florida. The BACCF provides

unique positioning for members, enabling them to ef-fectively interact in both regions and expand operations overseas. The BACCF offers a variety of value-added ser-vices to their members, including:

• EVENTS: Chamber functions/gatherings emphasize is-sues of interest and focus on specific segments, groups and/or topics. Examples include networking events, seminars, workshops, conferences, dinners, sports, breakfasts and special events (Excellence Award, An-nual Feijoada, Independence Gala Dinner and How to Do Business in the U.S. seminar)• BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: BACCF members ben-

efit from business referrals and business listings. Mem-bers also can participate in networking opportunities promoted by the BACCF, business organizations and other chambers of commerce paying at member rates.• THE “CHAMBER NEWS” ONLINE NEWSLETTER:

Monthly online bulletin• BACCF HOME PAGE: The website carries featured ar-

ticles, news, upcoming events, highlights of past events and other relevant items.• MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: The Annual Directory

has more than 550 firms listed in alphabetical order and business type.• MEMBERSHIP REWARDS PROGRAM: Rewards

members through price discounts and special promo-tions.• COMMITTEES: We highly encourage our members to

participate on one of our several committees.• PARTNERSHIPS: The BACCF is constantly expanding

its circle of friends by partnering with local and inter-national organizations.• MEMBER MEDIA COVERAGE: New members are fea-

tured in a special section of the most viewed local Bra-zilian media.

JOIN TODAY! Contact [email protected], call 305/579-9030 or 954/965-1184, or visit www.brazilchamber.org. n


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PARADISIACAL DESTINATIONS, AFFORDABLE PACKAGES AND WORLD-CLASS CRUISE LINERS ARE JUST SOME OF THE REASONS TO SET SAIL IN BRAZIL.

Ships Ahoy!ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S SPLENDOUR OF THE SEASDOCKED IN RIO DE JANEIRO

BY ANNA ARIAS


All aboard! The 2010/2011 Bra-zilian cruise season has offi-cially cast off, charting a course that industry experts believe will result in one of the largest grossing years in history.

No less than 20 ships will drop anchor in Brazilian waters

through May of next year, bringing with them close to 900,000 tourists—an estimated 23-percent increase over last year. Much to the delight of port cities and local businesses, these floating hotels will make ap-proximately 415 dockings at some 20 locales.

With over 4,500 miles of coast, Brazil seems to have been created for cruising. Rio de Janeiro, in-cluding the smaller Búzios made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s, is the top destination. The calm waters of Cabo Frio and the wild beauty of Ilha Grande are always popular once tourists arrive in Rio. And for those who think São Paulo was created ex-clusively for business, a cruise to the state’s northern coast—which includes Ilhabela, São Sebastião and the breathtaking splendor of the Atlantic Rainforest—will re-veal some of Brazil’s richest beach sceneries.

Many will tell you that the country’s north and northeast re-gions provide the most spectacu-

lar views of the Brazilian coast. Cruise destinations such as Salvador and Ilhéus, in Bahia, and the beaches of states such as Ceará, Paraíba, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Norte, where tall cliffs kiss the ocean in a magnificent display of nature, make this region perfect for a vacation on the water.

Nearby Fernando de Noronha may become the hottest spot for the cruis-ing industry this season. The archipe-alago is a natural reserve, and access to land is very limited and requires special permits. Surfers and dolphins share waves formed by crystalline wa-ters, making Fernando de Noronha one of the world’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spots and adding to its reputation as a top ecotourism desti-nation.

Tourists cruising south can sail all the way to Argentina with stops along

the way at the beautiful beaches of Santa Catarina be-fore entering Punta del Este and Montevideo in Uru-guay (a popular spot for Hollywood celebrities).

As picturesque as it is, the Brazilian landscape isn’t the only reason for the hike in cruise passengers this season—or the fact that, according to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), Brazil is now ranked No. 6 in the world’s cruise market. (The U.S./Canada continues to top the list, followed by the United King-dom, Germany, Italy and Spain.) Due to social poli-cies implemented by the federal governemnt over the past several years, this kind of vacation has become affordable for the lower-middle class, which now has considerably more purchasing power than five, seven or 10 years ago. Combined with a strong currency, the devaluation of the American dollar and financing op-tions helped to create products that fit the pockets and expectations of consumers.

With opportunities knocking like this, it’s no coin-cidence that most of the ships decorating the Brazilian coast have internationally recognized brands stamped on their hulls. Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruzeiros, Ibero,

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010

NUMBER OF SHIPS 6 9 11 14 16 18

TOTAL PASSENGERS 139,430 225,178 300,017 396,119 521,983 720,621

SALES REVENUE (US$) 62.38 mi 100.6 mi 174.12 mi 326.45 mi 305.24 mi 478.96 mi

JOBS CREATED 14,725 23,493 32,596 42,726 39,138 45,000*

Source: Abramar *forecast

THE STEADY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PASSENGERS SINCE THE 2004 SEASON REVEALS A GROWTH TREND THAT SEEMS TO ONLY BE GETTING STRONGER.

CRUISING ALONG

ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S RICARDO AMARAL: "THOSE WHO PURCHASE THE MINI-PACKAGES THIS SEASON WILL CERTAINLY COME BACK NEXT YEAR FOR A FULL WEEK TRIP."

Got time to spare? If you like to take long vacations and see thousands of

miles worth of different land-scapes, Royal Caribbean has what you’re looking for. Unlike most of the ships leaving Europe for the Brazilian season, the Mariner of the Seas actually leaves from Los Angeles and goes the opposite way. The trip that starts on Jan. 16, 2011, takes passengers down the entire Pacific Coast towards Europe—the longest and prob-ably the most interesting route.

The first stops are Cabo San Lu-cas and Puerto Vallarta, in Mexico.

From there, the ship continues south, stopping in Puntarenas, Costa Rica and Lima, Peru. The trip continues towards Chile, where passengers will have a chance to visit Arica and Valparaiso. At the end of the southern cone, the ship makes a turn and moves east at the Magalhaes and Ushuaia straits as it starts moving back north, this time in the Atlantic Ocean towards Montevideo, in Uruguay, then reaching the Brazilian coast and the Santos port.

Passengers interested in board-ing this 30-day trip must do a little planning as the route is broken

down in two 15-day segments. The first is from California to Argentina starting at $750. The second is from Valparaiso to San-tos starting at $1,017. Just keep in mind that whichever destination you choose, you will need to pur-chase a ticket to fly back to the U.S.

This may seem like a long time to be on the water, but Mariner of the Seas is no ordinary ship. Think of it as a stroll around the Americas aboard a floating entertainment multiplex that includes mini-golf, spas, sports courts, nightclubs, bars, shops and restaurants.

Leaving the U.S.THE ONLY CHOICE FOR THOSE WANTING TO CRUISE FROM THE U.S. ALL THE WAY TO BRAZIL, MARINER OF THE SEAS IS THE SHIP TO HOP ON.

THE IMPRESSIVE MARINER OF THE SEAS IS ABOUT READY TO LEAVE THE CALIFORNIA COAST TO ROCK THE BRAZILIAN CRUISE SEASON ON ITS WAY TO EUROPE.


MSC and CVC are the major players sailing the high seas of Brazil with their largest and most luxurious ships.

But don’t let the word luxurious scare you. Passen-gers in Brazil will have a new, affordable option this season that follows the successful model in place for many years in the United States: mini-cruises, three-night trips starting at $200.

“They not only are affordable, but these mini-packages are per-fect for those who traditionally don’t take long vacations this time of the year,” says Ricardo Ama-ral, president of Royal Caribbean and also president of ABRAMAR (Brazilian Maritime Cruise As-sociation). “Also they serve as as a good option for the first-timer. Those who purchase the mini-packages this season will certainly come back next year for a full week trip.”

THE BRAZILIAN WAYThemed cruises, a formula that has been successful in other markets, is making its way into the Brazilian market. Passengers looking for a specific theme will find a variety of options in Bra-zil—from fitness-related cruises to trips centered around food, dancing, music, fashion, beauty and entertainment. Brazilian music staple Roberto Carlos, who earlier this year sold out Radio City Music Hall in New York, will be a featured performer on the cruise schedule.

“We listen to what our guests are saying to learn their

needs and desires,” ex-plains Adrian Ursilli, MSC’s sales and mar-keting director. “Then we develop cruises filled with activities that meet their expectations. We offer music, humor, fit-

ness, wellness, fashion and many other themed cruises.”MSC’s themed cruise passenger base represents 10

percent of its total clientele, and the company already has announced a partnership with Olympia Cruzeiros, which involves chartering three ships exclusively for the Brazilian country music fan. Teen sensation Luan Santana and veterans Zezé Di Camargo and Luciano are already on the schedule.

Francisco Ancona Lopez, a mar-keting consultant for Costa Cruzeiros (which pioneered the themed cruis-es), believes that the key to success of a themed cruise is not only to en-tertain but to give the passenger rele-vant information. “They add value to someone who would otherwise sim-ply go on another ordinary vacation,” says Lopez, whose company will of-fer six different themed programs aboard Costa Serena and Costa For-tuna. “That’s why it’s so rewarding to plan a weekend like this.”

FAVORABLE WINDSBesides staying in Brazilian waters for a longer period of time, the cruise companies also are increasing the number of ships available to pas-sengers. And they’re bringing their big guns. Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, which arrives in Febru-ary 2011, will be the largest vessel in Brazil this season; it’s equipped with

everything from an ice rink to a rock-climbing wall to mini-golf, as well as numerous bars, restaurants, nightclubs and casinos. The two-day packages from Santos (along São Paulo’s coast) to Rio de Janeiro start at about $275 per person. But this particular ship will

have a short stop in Brazil as it returns from the U.S. and Europe.

A surprise awaits the Costa Cruzeiros passenger this season. It’s the first time the company will bring Costa Serena, one of Europe’s largest vessels. This one is bound to please race car enthu-siats with its Grand Prix simulator. Those looking for a little pamper-ing, meanwhile, can look no fur-ther than the 64,000-square-foot spa. Some say the spa is a perfect companion to this all-inclusive package, where each passenger is

served with at least five meals a day.Those seeking a more intimate cruising experience

Besides the endless shoreline, Brazil has a very rich and complex river system. The best known and most

relevant for the cruise industry is definitely the Amazon and its affluents, an alternative to those wanting to combine a vacation on the water and some eco-adventure tourism.

According to Oreni Braga, president of Amazonastur, the Amazonas State Tourism Bureau, about 18 ships are expected to carry 20,000 tourists through the Amazon River this season, representing a growth of 40 percent compared to last year.

Iberostar Grand Amazon is a good example of how luxury and jungle tours can be combined successfully. It departs from Manaus and stops at several spots in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest. These spots serve as launching pads for tours in smaller boats within the jungle, allowing tourists to have access and contact with the local population. These cruises have a duration of three or four days and can go through the Solimões River or the Negro River, the two bodies of water that meet to form the Amazon.

Amazon Ecolazer also offers three- to four-day cruises departing from Manaus with prices starting from $600. If choosing this route, make sure to add the “meeting of the waters” tour and see firsthand the black waters from Rio Negro and the muddy waters from the Solimões River rolling side by side without mixing.

The adventurous tourist will want to travel from Belém, in the state of Pará, to Manaus aboard the Gaiola (birdcage), a typical Amazon vessel in which the passen-ger has two lodging choices: a stateroom with air conditioning and private bathroom ... or a hammock. Tempted to take the hammock? Then understand that this trip takes three entire days. The ticket for those sleeping in a hammock are quite affordable at $70; the bed and private bathroom costs approximately $200. Both choices typically include three meals per day. It may sound a bit primitive, but it’s definitely a rare option for thrill seekers—and a chance to get up close and personal with everything the Amazon has to offer. Just don’t forget the mosquito repellant.

COSTA CRUZEIRO'S FRANCISCO ANCONA LOPEZ: "RELEVANT INFORMATION ADDS VALUE TO SOMEONE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE SIMPLY GO ON ANOTHER ORDINARY VACATION."

COSTA SERENA, MAKING ITS FIRST VISIT TO BRAZIL, WILL NO DOUBT PLEASE GUESTS OF ALL AGES WITH AMENITIES FROM A LUXURY SWIMMING POOL TO A GRAND PRIX SIMULATOR.

Down the Forest, in a CageSAIL DOWN THE MIGHTY AMAZON RIVER AS A TOURIST ... OR AS A LOCAL, IF YOU DARE.

IBEROSTAR GRAND AMAZON OFFERS A POSH AMAZON TRIP WITH GREAT VIEWS FROM ITS APARTMENTS.

YOUR OPTIONS ONLINEwww.amazonstar.com.brwww.amazoniaecolazer.com.brwww.iberostar.com.br


will also find something to suit their taste. Ibero Cru-zeiros is just one of the companies catering to passen-gers looking for a scaled-down vacation on the water without having to sacrify quality and service. “In a smaller ship, everyone is closer together which pro-motes better interaction and makes it easier for attend-

ing meetings and other activities,” says Claudia Del Valle, marketing and sales manager for Ibero Cruzeiros, which is bringing its Grand Holiday to Brazil for the first time.

Every year, cruise companies ex-tend their stay in Brazil. The 2010/2011 season, which began in Septem-ber, will be no different. In fact, some companies are keeping their ships in Brazil longer than in Eu-rope, where a lot of these vessels sail for most of the year. CVC, for example, will leave its five ships in Brazilian waters for an extra two months, while MSC Cruzeiros chose to anchor in Brazil in October, instead of November as they used to do until a few years ago.

“Brazil is a natural destination for tour-ism,” Royal Caribbean’s Amaral says. “Un-like many other countries, our weather is good throughout the year and there are no hurricanes or severe cold.”

Maybe that’s the reason why this sec-

tor has been recording an average growth of 33 percent over the past couple of years, according to data from Abramar. In addition, the industry creates close to 45,000 jobs each season, positive ripples for any economy.

MSC Cruzeiros, which consid-ers Brazil its second largest market, has seen a dramatic increase in number of passengers over the past de-cade—more than 42 times more travelers compared to seven years ago. For the 2010/2011 season, MSC Cru-zeiros will have five ships on Brazilian waters. “This in-dustry causes a positive economic impact as a result of its own activities,” MSC’s Ursilli says. “In the more than 400 stops scheduled for our ships this season, we expect to spend $138 million in operation costs in addition to the $136 million spent by guests at the destinations.”

It all adds up to smooth sailing for a cruise industry in Brazil that has never been stronger.

COSTA CRUZEIROSOut of 20 ships arriving for the 2010/2011 season, three carry the Costa Cruzeiros brand, one of the first companies to operate in Brazil. All of them offer from mini-packages of three or four nights to full packages of six to 10 nights.• The newest attraction is Costa Serena, one of

world’s largest liners, which will embark on a route that includes the São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia shores. Three-night packages are $269 per person in a double cabin. The seven-night route that includes Bahia starts at $759.• Costa Fortuna sails through the coasts of São

Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the Prata River, which includes Buenos Aires in Argentina and Punta Del Este in Uruguay. Three night packages start at $289 per person. The nine nights trip to Argentina and Uruguay start at $1,359.• Costa Victoria takes guests between the coast of

Rio de Janeiro and the Prata River, which includes Buenos Aires and Punta Del Este. Three-night packages start at $199. The trips to Argentina and Uruguay start at $699.• Costa Cruzeiros also offers transatlantic trips at the

beginning (Italy-Brazil) and at the end (Brazil-Italy) of the season. For more information, visit www.costacruzeiros.com.

IBERO CRUZEIROSIbero Cruzeiros, one of the arms of Costa group, will bring its Grand Holiday to Brazil for the first time. The company will have two ships in Brazil for this season.• Grand Holiday will be responsible for the mini-

cruises between Santos and Rio de Janeiro with one stop in Angra dos Reis. The three-night trip starts at $229 per person in a double cabin. The seven-night cruises, departing from Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Maceió or Vitória, start at $629.• Grand Celebration will offer mini-cruises betwen

the coasts of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo starting at $229. Trips to Buenos Aires start at $859. For more information, visit www.iberocruzeiros.com.br.

CVC TURISMOOne of the largest tour operators in the country, this is the only company that offers routes to Fernando de Noronha, an ecological sanctuary off the coast of Pernambuco, aboard Bleu de France. This may be the last season the ship is allowed in the region.• Bleu de France, making its first trip to Brazil, takes

passengers on three- to eight-night cruises depart-ing from Recife or Salvador towards Fernando de Noronha. Packages for a four-day cruise start at $786. For more information, visit www.cvc.com.br.

MSCWith four ships in Brazilian territory, the Italian company will offer trips between the northeast region (with stops in Salvador, Recife and Maceió), besides visits to neighboring Argentina and Uru-guay. The itineraries include stops in Ilhabela and Ubatuba on the São Paulo coast, considered one of the country’s most beautiful regions.• Three-night trips aboard Musica start at $349.

Eight-night trips start at $1,069. The mini-cruises aboard the Orchestra and Opera start at $349 and short trips are offered aboard the Armonia start-ing at $379. For more information, visit www.msccruzeiros.com.br.

ROYAL CARIBBEANOne of the world’s largest cruise companies, Royal Caribbean sends three of its 39 ships to serve the Brazilian season.• Mariner of the Seas, the big star in South America

this year for Royal Caribbean, arrives in Brazil on Feb. 15 and will offer four six-night cruises between Santos and Salvador with stops in Rio de Janeiro. The internal cabins start at $835 and the outside cabins start at $1,140. There’s also the option of a two-night mini-cruise between Rio de Janeiro and Santos starting at $311. For those coming from the U.S., the Mariner of the Seas has an unforgettable route (see box).• Vision of the Seas will offer five- to seven-night

cruises departing and arriving in Rio de Janeiro going through Salvador, Ilhéus, Búzios, Ilha Grande, Ilhabela and Santos starting at $639 per person in an internal cabin.• Splendour of the Seas features three-night mini-

cruises with a stop in Búzios start at $260 per person for an internal cabin. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com n

MSC'S ADRIAN URSILLI: "WE LISTEN TO WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SAYING TO LEARN THEIR NEEDS AND DESIRES ... THEN WE DEVELOP CRUISES FILLED WITH ACTIVITIES THAT MEET THEIR EXPECTATIONS."

MSC'S MODERN LINES AND LUXURIOUS INTERIORS, SUCH AS MUSICA'S LA SCALA THEATER, ADD A TOUCH OF CLASS TO ANY VACATION.

Pick Your Ship

MSC'S ORCHESTRA


music by Gene de Souza*

CD Review

Jovino Santos NetoVeja o Som/See the Sound(Adventure Music)

Jovino Santos Neto isn’t quite sleepless in Seattle, but it’s not for lack of trying. The renowned pianist, flutist, composer and arranger—considered one of Bra-

zil’s top musicians working today—is staying busier than ever.

In addition to teaching piano and jazz com-position at Cornish College for the Arts in Washington state, the three-time Latin Gram-my nominee has released “Veja o Som” (“See the Sound”), the much-anticipated follow-up to his 2009 Adventure Music release, “Live at Car-amoor” (with Weber Iago).

The thread of Santos Neto’s career is forever tied to the legendary band of Hermeto Pascoal, with whom he played from 1977–1992. It was there that Santos Neto honed his prodigious talent and discovered his own artistry through performing and producing. Much like Pascoal, he meshes energetic grooves, deep harmonies, improvisation and tight ensemble playing with the colorful richness of Brazilian music. His compositions incorporate styles from samba to baião to marcha, but he often takes the cen-turies-old musical traditions into adventurous new directions.

On “Veja o Som,” Santos Neto adds to his ever-growing and well-deserved reputation with a two-CD set of duet performances that pair the pianist with a pantheon of North and South American musicians. The 20 tracks, half recorded in the U.S. and half in Brazil, feature collaborations with vocalists and instrumental-ists—including Bill Frisell, Joe Locke, Paquito

D’Rivera, Anat Cohen, João Donato, Airto Moreira and Mônica Salmaso. The recording includes original compositions and new ar-rangements of songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Pascoal and Djavan.

The duets on “Veja o Som” are all the more remarkable considering that Santos Neto had never performed with a majority of the guest artists. Most recordings were first takes in the studio with no overdubs. Santos Neto and his guests discussed the songs and rehearsed basic elements before diving into the actual tracks you hear on the final product.

The name of the project originated during the sound check with Moreira, the legendary Brazilian jazz drummer and percussionist. As the room filled with piano notes and per-cussive delights, Moreira yelled out, “Veja o som!” and the two burst into laughter.

Both CDs in this set are filled of brilliant moments—the sublime guitar of Frisell on Jobim’s “Caminhos Cruzados,” the playful saxophone of D’Rivera on “O Que Vier eu Traço,” the angelic voice of Salmaso on “So-nora Garoa” and Toninho Ferragutti’s blazing accordion on the classic “Feira de Mangaio.”

With each listen, “Veja o Som” becomes even more vivid and alive. There is plenty of music to explore in this new release from a pianist that never ceases to find enough hours in the day to surprise and inspire. n

*Gene de Souza is producer and host of the Café Brasil Radio Show, which airs every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. on 88.9 FM (WDNA public radio) in Miami and online at www.wdna.org. De Souza also is development director for the Rhythm Foundation (rhythmfoundation.com), South Florida’s leading presenter of world music.

events // what will happen in november/december 2010

NOVEMBER

12º FIMAI - Industrial and Sustainable Environment International Trade Show Date: November 9-11Location: Expocenter Norte, Pavilhão Azul, São Paulo, SP Organizer: Ambientepress ProduçõesLtda. Info/Contact: fimai.com.br; [email protected] Construir Rio Date: November 9-13Location: Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJOrganizer: Fagga Promoção de Eventos S/AInfo/Contact: feiraconstruir.com.br;[email protected] Expo Money Expo Money Rio de Janeiro 2010/Expo Money Porto Alegre 2010 Date: November 9-13Organizer: Trade Network Participações Ltda.Info/Contact: expomoney.com.br;[email protected]

Cityscape Latin America (see page 11) Date: November 23-25Location: AmCham Business Center, São Paulo, SPOrganizer: Informa GroupInfo/Contact: cityscapelatinamerica.com.br;[email protected]

DECEMBER

Exposystems – Integrated Solutions for Events and Tradeshows International Meeting Date: December 1-3Location: Palácio das Convenções Anhembi, São Paulo, SP Organizer: Feira & Cia Eventos Ltda.Info/Contact: exposystems.com.br;[email protected] Footecon – Soccer Services and Products Industry International TradeshowDate: December 1-3Location: RioCentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJOrganizer: Fagga Promoção de Eventos S/AInfo/Contact: footecon.com.br;[email protected]

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Lay of the LandCITYSCAPE LATIN AMERICA 2010

REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT IS THE NAME OF THE GAME AT THE THIRD ANNUALCITYSCAPE LATIN AMERICA EVENT IN SÃO PAULO.

R eal estate isn’t the only straw that stirs an economy, but it’s certainly one of easiest to identify—in good times and

bad. Look no further than the United States and Brazil to see both sides of the spectrum.

The American economy continues to struggle in the aftermath of a wildly inflated real estate bubble that burst. Brazil, meanwhile, is among the few countries exploding with development, new construction and high resale values. Investors there are seeing huge returns from a market offering numerous opportunities to buyers, sellers and developers.

Many of these professionals will meet at the third annual Cityscape Latin America, an event devoted to real estate invest-ment and development Nov. 23–25 at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in São Paulo. Cityscape attracts well-known industry experts and promotes an unprecedented opportu-nity to create open discussions about investments, funding, securi-ties, low-income housing development trends and alternatives for

domestic and foreign real estate investors.Although relatively new, the event is actually a road show with

roots in a much larger initiative. The original Cityscape—which paved the road for meetings such as the one in São Paulo—is now the largest real estate sector event in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, India and China. The numbers from the 2010 event in Dubai speaks to the scope and importance of Cityscape: 90 countries represented, 700 exhibitors, 45,000 real estate professionals.

Given the fact that Brazil is now one of the world’s most tempt-ing real estate markets, it was only natural for Informa Group to

bring Cityscape Latin America to São Paulo. The three days will be packed with discussion panels, including the opening event with keynote speaker and real estate mogul Romeu Chap Chap. Other speakers include federal government representatives, local and in-ternational developers, lawyers, financial experts, and a number of other professionals that will certainly bring light to many issues related to development and investment in one of the world’s most heated real estate markets.

Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro, will be present to talk about the projects and preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games—both of which will be staged in his hometown.

Since this event is taking place in Brazil, it’s only natural that discussions about the environment and its relationship to develop-ment found their ways into Cityscape Latin America. Is it possible to combine environmental responsibility and ROI (Return Over Investment) in the real estate market? Do consumers see value in eco-friendly construction, and are they willing to pay more for it? Is it possible to pass the extra costs incurred by eco-friendly con-

struction to the consumer?These and many other questions related to the development

of a sustainable real estate sector will be discussed by a group of experts such as Racional Engenharia’s vice president Marcos Santoro, SECOVI’s director of sustainability Hamilton França, and the president of Casa Viva Sustainable Residences Luis Fernando do Valle, who will be joining more than 40 other speakers and panelists at, arguably, the most important real estate event in South America. n

Cityscape Latin AmericaOrganizer: Informa Group Date: November 23 - 25, 2010Place: Amcham Business CenterRua da Paz, 1431 São Paulo, SP Time: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.Info/Contact: 11-3017-6808 [email protected] Web: www.cityscapelatinamerica.com.br

SÃO PAULO

Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro, will be present to talk about the projects and preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

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