The whole world knows Rio de Janeiro, either because they have visited the Cidade Maravilhosa or because they have an idealized concept in their heads. Among those who have already visited the city, 95% intend to go back, and those who do not know the city are keen to enjoy the landscapes, the joy of the people, the culture and the tourist icons, such as the Corcovado, the Sugar Loaf and the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, among other attractions. Rio de Janeiro offers an unforgettable experience for visitors and a strong international brand that needs a small boost in order to improve tourism ratios and honor its potential. The same can be said of the Brazil brand. As an illustrative comparison, Madrid received 7,6 million international tourists in 2018, while Rio received 1,3 million; and Spain received 83,7 million in the same period, while Brazil received 6,6 million. These differences show Brazil’s huge improvement potential.

I was born in Spain, and I was always passionate about Rio de Janeiro. I consider myself a Carioca at heart and a lucky person because now, through the MARAEY Project, I have the opportunity to offer a new tourist destination concept in Brazil, in Maricá city, inside the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, that is sure to catalyze the potential of this huge state and national tourism.

WHAT WILL THE MARAEY PROYECT LOOK LIKE?

MARAEY will be the most important touristic-residential development in Latin America and an international benchmark in sustainable development. This statement may seem daring, but I have spent my whole life working in big real estate projects, studying the main tourist destinations in the region in detail, and I am completely convinced that there is no other project with the unique features that MARAEY has.

Firstly, I have to mention the area, which is located just to 45 km from the center of Rio de Janeiro, comprising 840 hectares, between the sea and the Maricá lagoon, with 8,5 km of oceanic coast and 12,5 km of lagoon coast.

Within that unique setting, we are going to consolidate a new international tourist hub, less than one hour’s drive from the international and national airports of Rio de Janeiro; and we also have the local Maricá airport. There will be four five-star hotels (Rock Rio MARAEY Resort, MARAEY Golf Resort, MARAEY Convention Resort e Eco Boutique MARAEY Resort) with value proposals and complementary experiences, in addition to an International Hospitality Management University and a Professional Training Center.

From a residential point of view, MARAEY will become an exclusive and iconic tourist destination in the country, offered to buyers of first and second residences. Our development is located in Maricá, a municipality with 161,000 inhabitants. It is the first holder of oil and gas royalties in Brazil, investing in infrastructures, education, health and tourism. We are also close to Rio de Janeiro and other cities with significant population density, at an optimal distance from the influence area of the main industrial investments of the country. In Maricá, we will offer a residential and service proposal the likes of which has never seen before: with apartments, duplexes and villas, malls, business centers, hospitals, schools, golf courses and an international equestrian center, fulfilling the highest standards of quality, design, innovation and energy efficiency.

The design and consolidation of MARAEY as the most important touristic and residential Project in Latin America will be carried out with the utmost respect for environmental sustainability standards, guaranteeing a preserved area of 81%, the creation of the second biggest RPPN (Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural) of Restinga in the Rio de Janeiro state, where the building occupancy will be barely 6.6% of the total area. At this point, another essential factor is the presence of the MARAEY institute, with the participation of several universities – such as UFRJ, UFF, UFES and UFRRJ – in order to research and study these ecosystems.

Finally, our initiative aims to foster local communities through the cultural and social development of the region, signing an initial pledge of extreme importance for the regularization of the Zacarias Fishermen Community lands, giving the property deeds to close to 200 families that today live in the area. Moreover, with a range of future properties, the dwellers will benefit from the general services (paving, water, electricity, etc.) provided in the project.

All this effort will mean a major economic development for Maricá. We estimate that MARAEY will foster the economy creating 36,000 new jobs and R$ 1 billion in taxes per year, once the complex is working. More than just an innovative business model, MARAEY will be a big opportunity for growth in the local community.

WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE WITH MARAEY?

Essentially, we have the mission of transforming MARAEY into the most iconic touristic and residential development in Latin America – a worldwide benchmark for environmental preservation, economic impact and integration in the local communities.

And our mission comprises several main objectives and pillars: 1) Sustainability and energy efficiency by applying architectural models of low impact and density, using eco-friendly materials, the MARAEY Institute, together with the main academic institutions in the country, will carry out researches on the area’s ecosystems. 2) Innovation and implementation of new technologies in order to be at the forefront and attract Companies and partners who share our principles and exemplariness. 3) Promoting integral, top-quality specialized education in order to transform society through the main change vector and turn Maricá into a high-level hospitality training hub. 4) Including the local and regional communities, enhancing their culture, their traditions, and also offering new quality jobs and future perspectives through important investments. 5) Quality and exclusivity, increasing the exclusive residential and services offering in the region, because there is nothing at all like it for the surrounding society.

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR TRANSFORMATION

Through the Smart City philosophy, we intend to leave a transformation legacy based on the intelligent use and sustainability of the land. With efficient buildings and initiatives that balance natural resources, we aim to minimize our impact on the environment. In order to reach that goal, we will have a system of local transport that will use the electric model, decreasing the amount of contaminating emissions in the air. For this, MARAEY will have several of electrical connection points.

Maricá will be boosted by the MARAEY project. We are going to transform it into the Maricá of the future, an innovative city and pioneer in technology. My particular mission in the MARAEY Project is to become an example of Brazilian economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Emilio Izquierdo Merlo. CEO IDB Brasil (the company responsible for the development of the MARAEY project)