Rio de Janeiro, the hotel industry is preparing for the World Cup

The 2014 World Cup and World Youth Day are approaching and the Rio de Janeiro hotel industry is ready to host the large number of international visitors expected. In particular, the sector is confident that the city's infrastructure and activated price monitoring can ensure the success of these mega-events. Rio's Maracana Stadium will host three soccer matches, including the final, while World Youth Day will bring thousands of young Catholics to the Brazilian city's beaches in July. Numerous football fans and around two million pilgrims will put a strain on the hotel system. Juliana Castanheira, spokeswoman for the Brazilian Hotel Association said: “The hospitality industry is booming. Many international chains are investing in the city and icons of the past, such as the Gloria Hotel and the old Meridien are undergoing renovations.” With these statements, the Association intends to respond to the criticisms that hotels in Rio are expensive and not of great quality. "Rio is one of the world's major tourist attractions and we are working together with the Ministry of Tourism so that prices do not get out of control," Castanheira assured.

Rio Hotel Industry Feels Prepared