Two British property developers have set up a purpose-built camp site for World Cup football fans in Rio after evidence hotels were preparing to charge “extortionate” rates 300 per cent higher than normal.
The new facility in Recreio, west Rio de Janeiro, will charge fans £35 a night for tent-hire packages with room for 800 supporters.
It has 24-hour professional security, bars, and television screens showing live games, while staff can also help organise match-day travel services to Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte for England’s group games.
It is the brainchild of Andy Allan, CEO of Real Property Fund, an experienced British property development company established in Rio since 2007, and co-founder and Project Director Stephen Pike.
They said they wanted to encourage fans who may be put off coming by potential cost and safety concerns.
Mr Allan, who has lived in Brazil for 10 years, said: “We are aware that potential visitors to Brazil could be put off by security concerns. One of the key reasons we chose Recreio is because it is considered one of the safest districts in the city, has excellent transport links and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. We feel we have a lot to offer anyone who wants to come and experience the unique atmosphere of a World Cup in Brazil.”
Mr Pike added: “We are committed to ensuring our pricing is fair and realistic and it is our intention to offer supporters the opportunity to make the trip without having to spend an arm and a leg.”
Around 600,000 foreign and three million Brazilian football fans are expected to attend the World Cup this summer.
Hotels were said to be considering charging an average of £300 a night during the FIFA games, with reports suggesting many fans were resorting to staying in guesthouses in the notoriously dangerous favelas in a bid to save money because of the “rip-off” prices.
However hoteliers in Rio have now agreed not to charge “stratospheric” prices for rooms during the World Cup, with prices to be no higher than at New Year.
It is hoped that the agreement will be rolled out in all 12 Cup venues, and comes after Brazil’s tourist board raised concerns about the inflated charges.
Two of Brazil’s airlines have also agreed to cap the price of domestic flights between venues at £260, while nearly 2,000 extra domestic flights will be available between June 6 and July 20 to cope with increased demand.
Juliana Pereira, of consumer affairs monitor Senacon, said: “Brazil is investing for the next 50 years - not just a month. We must guarantee consumer rights are respected.
“The World Cup is an opportunity to raise the image of the country beyond its borders
“We understand that high season rates should be the top price charged for the World Cup and that prices above that could be regarded as abusive. We shall crack down should we find abuses.”
