Rio de Janeiro will host, for the first time next May, the Web Summit, one of the world’s largest technology events, which should inject around BRL 1.2 billion into the economy of Rio de Janeiro over the next six years. The estimate is from a report elaborated by the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development, Innovation and Simplification, in partnership with the city’s agency for promotion and attraction of investments (Invest.Rio).

The 1st Web Summit Rio will be held between May 1st to the 4th, at Riocentro. Chicão Bulhões, Municipal Secretary for Economic Development, Innovation and Simplification, highlighted that the event means the city is back to the important global stages, especially for topics focusing on the economy, such as innovation and technology, which are present in the daily lives of all citizens.

“The more we transform knowledge, which Rio has in abundance, with universities and people doing business, the more Rio will prosper with sustainability”. Bulhões said that the role of the municipal government is to provide equal opportunities, so that more people can be impacted by this agenda, which promises to be transformative for the city, making it the capital of technology and innovation in Latin America.

The secretary said that the expected legacy of the event is always medium- and long-term. “It is a structured path that begins and Rio repositions itself to become the great center of discussions on green economy and innovation and technology”.

According to Bulhões, the event has to do with the profile of the city and its residents, with the new work relationships established in the Covid-19 post-pandemic period. “We are very confident that the legacy of the event, in addition to actions promoted by the Municipal Government, will be the recognition of Rio as a great center for discussions and evolution of new solutions for climate events, public safety, challenges of inequalities, market of cryptocurrencies.

Potential

The Potential Economic Impacts report of the Web Summit Rio estimates that the six editions taking place in Rio de Janeiro, through 2028, have the potential to attract more than 800,000 people, 15,000 a day in 2023 alone.

In addition, it will strengthen tourism in the month of May, raising almost R$ 100 million a year in ISS (Service Tax) revenue from tourism. With other municipal government initiatives involving innovation and technology, tax revenues in the municipality should increase by up to R$ 1 billion over the next six years.

Regarding the direct impact on economy, during the period tourists (foreign and domestic)visit Rio and expenditures made by residents, the projection is for an inflow of R$ 66.9 million in 2023, considering an average stay for tourists of 6 to 8 days for foreigners, 5.8 days for domestic tourists and three days for city residents. In 2028, the impact should reach BRL 312.4 million.

According to the study, Brazilian tourists should inject the economy with BRL 595.2 million, equivalent to 50.3% of the total impact. Next, are foreign tourists, with an impact of BRL 425 million (35.9%) and, finally, cariocas and professionals who will work at the event, with practically the same weight (BRL 162.3 million, or 13.7%).

The hotel industry will be the most benefited sector, with an estimated impact of BRL 34.6 million in the first edition of the Web Summit Rio, this year, until it reaches BRL 161.3 million, in 2028, which is equivalent to almost 50% of expenditures, estimated at BRL 610.6 million. The second sector to benefit is food, including bars and restaurants, with a direct impact of BRL 13.2 million this year, reaching BRL 61.8 million in the sixth edition, in 2028, or the equivalent of BRL 234.1 million in all six editions, with a weight of 19.8% of the total.

Tax Revenues

InvestRio’s president, Alexandre Vermeulen, stated that the Web Summit coming to Rio de Janeiro will bring together the entire networking (network of people connected by professional interests) and the innovation community in a single location. “This is fundamental, because everyone together manages to join forces, dialogue. Thus, we will be able to really provide for an open innovation, with a lot of creativity, technology, resulting in the innovation that the Web Summit provides”, said Vermeulen.

The month of May is traditionally the third slowest one of the year, in terms of tourist tax revenues (7.9%). With the Web Summit Rio, the expectation is that the event will bring an additional impact of 20% in the tourism economy in Rio, reaching BRL 97 million in six years.

The technology tax revenue, defined as information technology services and similar ones, has a significant weight in municipal collection, representing around 9% of the total. Considering all six editions of Web Summit Rio and innovation projects that the city hall has been developing, the expectation is to boost around BRL 973 million, which will raise the sector’s tax revenues to BRL 3.6 billion.

Starting at the end of April, the streets of Saara, downtown Rio, will begin to get a new look. The municipal government will invest BRL 24.6 million in reurbanizing all 16 streets of Rio’s traditional popular commercial center. Improvements are planned to take place over the course of two years.

According to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, the project stipulates levelling and improving sidewalks to enable accessibility for pedestrians. According to Jessick Trairi, the work also aims to prepare the area for future residents of the region.

In addition to new sidewalks, Saara will get a new drainage system and traffic signals. The region has not undergone any major renovation since 1990.

Interventions will be made on the following streets:

• Alfândega
• Senhor dos Passos
• Buenos Aires
• Luiz de Camões
• Tomé de Souza
• República do Líbano
• Regente Feijó
• Gonçalves Ledo
• Imperatriz Leopoldina
• Conceição
• Andradas
• Armando Sales Oliveira

Also to be included are Beco do Tesouro, Praça do Mascate and Avenida Passos. In the streets exclusive to pedestrians, such as Alfândega and Senhor dos Passos and cross streets, the cobblestone sidewalks will be replaced to enable greater accessibility for the population.

Rua Buenos Aires will have new pavement, parking spots organized all along the street and corners on elevated floor, making it easier for pedestrians to cross.

Avenida Passos, which today receives the majority of vehicles and buses driving through the streets of Downtown, will have three lanes, one one for BRT and two for vehicles. Sidewalks will also be made wider

The birth of Saara

In 1962, the Society of Friends of Rua da Alfândega and Surroundings (Saara). With over 1,200 stores, the center is an example of an outdoor shopping mall, always known for receiving, since the early 20th century, Syrians and Lebanese with their “hawker” retail trade.

Saara’s surroundings are also a great cultural center in the city. In the region are two theaters, Carlos Gomes and João Caetano, in addition to the Popular State Library and the Real Cabinet of Portuguese Literature.

The American evening newspaper, The New York Times, published a story this Thursday (3/2) about what to do in Rio de Janeiro, described it as a city of breathtaking landscapes. In “36 hours in Rio de Janeiro,”  the newspaper put together a weekend itinerary for visitors in the city, with wonderful tips, ranging from watching the sunset at Arpoador to others with a lower nature appeal, such as purchasing “exclusive quality gifts” at the Brazilian Craftsmanship Reference Center (CRAB).

According to the page “Rio of Good News”, the NYT started its story describing in an unusual way the first impression many tourists have when they come to Rio:

 “As soon as you arrive, Rio de Janeiro slaps you in the face. First, humidity surrounds you. Next, you become impressed with the astonishing views”, the page reported, complementing that The New York Times” would still have highlighted the beauty of Rio’s coastline neighborhood: “There may be no more gorgeous city than this one. Neighborhoods by the ocean, from Leme to Leblon, sometimes may seem like playgrounds for adults.”

Like in all cities throughout the world, Rio de Janeiro also has its unfavorable points, among which the NYT highlighted mentioned: “Well, on the road leaving the airport comes the sewage stench. Rio is complicated. (...) It is also overburdened with a dark story and reputation of crime. But the city keeps progressing.”

Notwithstanding the criticism, the newspaper acknowledged in the story all of Rio’s efforts to make up for the delays and damages caused by the pandemic. Opening new and assorted business units all around the city is seen as a positive aspect by the Americans.

The article strongly highlighted Santa Teresa neighborhood, in the central area of the city. With its historical a rchitecture, cobblestone streets, cast iron balustrades, the famous historical cable car and its traditional gastronomy, the neighborhood received the”a Montmartre carioca” reputation. Another big spotlight of great tourist appeal is its beautiful observation decks with the most stunning view from Rio, in addition to fantastic restaurants such as Armazém São Joaquim, Armazém São Thiago, Território Aprazível and the Alda Maria candies. DIÁRIO agrees with New York Times in this suggestion of a must visit, when in Rio. Accommodation Options in the neighborhood are also attractive and suit every taste.

Friday

5h30 pm: Watch the sunset facing the ocean at Arpoador or sipping a drink at a kiosk.
7h pm: Eat a barbecue in the historical and vibrant Largo da Prainha.
8h30 pm: Participate in a samba circle at Pedra do Sal.

Saturday

10h am: Admire Brazilian craftsmanship at Brazilian Craftsmanship Reference Center (CRAB) and purchase some exclusive gifts in the museum store.
11h30 am: Get acquainted with the Feira do Lavradio, and look for antique items in the store on Rua do Senado.
1h pm: Have lunch also on Rua do Senado, followed by some live samba, at Armazém Senado, founded in 1907.
3h pm: Go to Santa Teresa, passing over the famous Arcos da Lapa. Get to know Rio’s Catedral Metropolitana, next to the cable car station.
4h pm: Pay special attention to Santa Teresa, which according to NYT, “is, perhaps, the most attractive neighborhood in the city.”
8h pm: Get to know a boteco (local bar): a carioca institution.
10h pm: End the evening in Botafogo, which may have the highest concentration of popular bars in the city.”

Sunday

7h30: Hike the Dois Irmãos Mountain, in Vidigal, where you can see “an astonishing view of Rio’s most famous tourist sites,”

Information can be found at Rio of Good News.

In May, the city of Rio de Janeiro will host the Web Summit 2023, one of the world’s largest technology events, and the municipal government sees that as an important step to turn the city into a great capital of technology, in addition to pushing the economy forward during a low season for tourism.

Held in Dublin, Ireland, from 2009 to 2015; and Lisbon, Portugal, starting in 2016, the event will be held outside of Europe for the first time. Rio will be the event’s host for the next six years, until 2028.

In an event held at the City Palace Building, in Botafogo, Rio’s South Zone, this Thursday morning, the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development, Innovation and Simplification (SMDEIS) presented projections that the Web Summit — which will be held between May 1st and 4th, at Riocentro, West Zone — will provide to local economy.

We believe that the city has a potential to increase about BRL 100 million public revenues in tax collections alone, in a month which is traditionally slow in the city of Rio de Janeiro, thus also helping our tourist activities here in the city so we can make this month a little better than it usually is — stated secretary Chicão Bulhões, leader of this department, in reference to the month of May being one of low season.

Introduced by Bulhões as the "Rock in Rio of technology", the Web Summit is seen by Rio’s municipal government hall with great expectation, which estimates that tourists remain in the city for a period of five days and, throughout the next editions, are multiplied.

With the expectation of receiving 15,000 people a day, the projection is that Web Summit Rio will reach 2028 with 70,000 people present daily. The study presented by the municipal government this morning shows a plan where BRL 11.6 million are spent every day by the public this year, arriving at a level of BRL 54.3 million a day in 2028, and this money will be spent on accommodations, food, transportation and attractions throughout the city. In taxes, the municipal government expects to earn BRL 10 million in ISS (Service Tax).

Estimate of BRL 67 million in 2023, reaching over 300 million by 2028 and roughly BRL 1.2 billion considering all (six) Web Summit editions we will have in Rio de Janeiro — stated the secretary.

New mindset

In addition to the money circulating in the city, the plan presented by the secretary is that Rio will become the “great capital for technology”.

Arthur Pereira, Web Summit’s VP, says he is proud of the event’s influence in the mindset adopted in Portugal and evolution of the companies after the event started taking place in the country, in 2016.

In Lisbon, we saw amazing things happen. Not only in regulation and legislation specifically created to support entrepreneurs and startups, but also the impact that we somehow helped to create. We are also proud of the information that Portuguese startups are worth 27 times more than in 2017 — showed Arthur.

And, according to secretary Chicão Bulhões, it is no longer possible to separate technology and innovation from economy and mentioned the presence of important universities and education institutions to project the future.

We want to flip the page in Rio de Janeiro and turn this knowledge generated in the city for a long time now into business and opportunity which obviously results in job creation, tax revenues and opportunity — stated Bulhões, who mentioned other events the city wished to house to show itself to the world. According to the secretary, Mayor Eduardo Paes asked President Lula to have Rio host the G-20 Summit.

End of bureaucracy

Among the municipal government’s initiatives mentioned to adapt to the technological world, such as allowing the IPTU property tax to be paid in cryptocurrency, the “start a business in 45 seconds” initiative was announced for the end of the first half of the year.

If you are a person, in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro’s, who has a honey stand, a clothing shop, a simple business in your garage, starting in June you will be able to access the municipal government website and declare these activities. And in 45 seconds to one minute, you will receive your permit number and get a billet just to pay your fee — said Bulhões, also mentioning that this fee will have a discount to facilitate for people who currently work informally.