• Fortaleza, Brazil’s #1 domestic tourism destination  

Fortaleza is one of the largest cities in Brazil and certainly one of the most vibrant. Last year Fortaleza was Brazil’s #1 domestic tourism destination. It hosted 3m Brazilian tourists and 250,000 foreign tourists. In fact, it has been #1 for three out of the last four years. There is a hotel and short-term rental shortage. There is limited developable land remaining in the area these visitors want to stay in. This is where Brazil’s wealthy come to relax on the beach. This is where Brazil’s new middle class want to come as soon as they can afford to. Every day that passes more can afford to come. Brazil is now a middle class country.

• Brazilian Economic Strength

Fortaleza is where Brazilians choose to go on holiday and is warm all year round with historically calm weather it is ideal place to take a holiday and buy property in Brazil. The Brazilian economy has gone from strength to strength and with FIFA world cup in 2014 and the Olympics in Rio in 2016 Brazil is certainly positioned well for further economic growth.

• The World Cup Effect

The big buzz in Fortaleza (and surrounding areas) is the huge investment in tourism and infrastructure. The government is spending 9.8 billion reais ($5.62 billion) in Fortaleza in the lead up to the 2014 soccer world cup. 63.3% of this spend will be on infrastructure projects. In June this year, Fortaleza’s governor released a list of projects that will be delivered for the 2014 games.

850 million reais will be spent on tourism projects—gentrification of urban areas and installing attractions like the state aquarium. And big amounts will also go toward things you’d expect—improved internet access, better gadgets for the police, new equipment for the hospitals, and so on.

Transport infrastructure with a 6 billion reais spend is the big winner. The government is committed to delivering quality projects that will encourage and facilitate the economic development of the region.

The Fortaleza area is going to see a major upgrade in road (there will be a new ring road), rail (Fortaleza is getting a metro system), bridge, port, and airport infrastructure. This will make certain areas more accessible and desirable. This will drive real estate prices in these areas higher.

• Governor’s List

Many of the projects on the governor’s list could create an opportunity for profit:

  • The south line of the metro will cost 1.8 billion reais. This will link downtown with middle-class areas and outlying industrial areas.
  • 450 million reais is to be invested in the stadium. This area will also benefit from improved transport infrastructure. 
  • Fortim (to the east of Fortaleza) has been identified as an area to host visiting teams’ training camps. The government is already negotiating to host Spain. This project will involve a major upgrade in tourism infrastructure in addition to huge marketing exposure for Fortim.
  • Road access is on its way to the village of Praia Bela from Aquiraz. This is a relatively small project (10.3 million reais) but will have a huge impact on Praia Bela. This area will also benefit from the completions of the bridge and new road from Praia du Futuro to the Beach Park area.
  • Further funds have been allocated to upgrading the boardwalk area. And to the east of the boardwalk, the Port of Mucuripe is getting a 120 million reais passenger terminal. 
  • 9.7 million reais has been allocated to complete the bridge over the Coco River. Another 62 million has been allocated to link this bridge with Fortaleza’s ring road. This project will have a big impact on Praia du Futuro and the area that’s going to open up on the other side of the bridge.