Attending the event were the vice-president of Rock in Rio, Roberta Medina, and the executive president of IDB Brasil, Emilio Izquierdo Merlo. The Project will be part of MARAEY, one of the biggest sustainable residential-touristic complexes in the country

The ultimate musical experience in a sustainable paradise only 45 km away from the center of Rio de Janeiro. This is the mission of the Rock in Rio MARAEY Resort – the first themed hotel in the world under the brand of the festival. The development was officially announced this Saturday by the vice-president of Rock in Rio, Roberta Medina, and by Emilio Izquierdo Merlo, executive president of IDB Brasil as the company responsible for MARAEY, which is set to be one of the biggest touristic-residential complexes in Brazil covering 840 hectares of land with a building occupancy of less than 6.6%

The construction of the Rock in Rio MARAEY Resort – one of the four planned hotels in the region – is scheduled to start during the first semester of 2021 and to begin operations two years later. Emilio Izquierdo Merlo was pleased to formalize the agreement with the biggest and best music festival brand in the world:

– “The presence of MARAEY here today, together with the Rock in Rio brand, with whom we are aligned in our values of innovation, sustainability and social responsibility, is the beginning of a dream we have pursued for a long time. We will be giving Maricá and the State of Rio the most innovative and sustainable tourism hub in the country, with full support from public, academic and private institutions” – explained the executive-president of IDB Brasil.

For Roberta Medina, the Rock in Rio MARAEY Resort is an important point of contact between the brand and its audience.

– “We want to do much more than hold a festival every two years and launch some actions on social media. To be able to materialize the brand values in this new context is highly positive for Rock in Rio” – stated the vice-president of the festival.

R$ 11 BILLION IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT, R$ 7.2 BILLION PER YEAR IN TAXES

Located on the coast of the Municipality of Maricá, the MARAEY complex will involve a private investment of R$ 11 billion in 14 years, generating R$ 7.2 billion in taxes per year during construction, plus R$ 1 billion per year during operation. The works of the whole complex, lasting an estimated 14 years, will generate up to 52,000 direct jobs. Once running, MARAEY will create 36,000 direct and indirect jobs per year.

In addition to four five-star hotels and residential areas, the complex will have the second-largest Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) of restinga in the State of Rio covering 437 hectares. The reserve will house a flora and fauna Research Center, supported by researchers from universities such as UFRJ, UFF and UFRRJ.

The Rock in Rio MARAEY Resort will donate 0.7% of turnover to environmental protection, educational and social development projects.

The Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, also visited the MARAEY stand at Rock in Rio and confirmed his support for the Project, saying:

– “I have been delighted with the Project from the very beginning. It will bring over 300,000 tourists per year, which is really fantastic. You can rely on the full support of the State of Rio.” – says the Governor.

The MARAEY complex understands the environmental heritage and the culture of the local population as essential values in the development. The project plans to urbanize and drive the cadastral regularization of the Zacarias fishing community, whose 200 families will receive ownership deeds and gain from infrastructure works with the same characteristic as the rest of the complex.

– “The development is defined by environmental and social values. The community and its surroundings will be supported with a cultural memory recovery program, a Maricá Lagoon revitalization program and a program to repopulate native species. We are going to construct the Fisherman’s Craft House to display the history and local culture, and will work to guarantee that fishing continues” – said the executive director of IDB Brasil, David Galipienzo.

For the Mayor of Maricá, Fabiano Taques Horta, the development can change the profile of the city and become a strong driver of development in the State.

– “We live according to the oil cycle. MARAEY will bring the tourism cycle to Maricá, with benefits for the whole population and the local and State economy”.

In order to train its workforce, MARAEY will house a hospitality university within the complex managed by one of the most prestigious schools in the world, to be announced shortly.

ABOUT IDB BRASIL

IDB Brasil is the company created to develop the MARAEY project. It is controlled and managed by Spanish companies, including Abacus Property Development and Cetya Group, boasting certifications ISO 9002 and ISO 14001, having worked for more than 50 years in the global construction market, with various projects involving environmental recovery.

Cetya Group also includes the Cetya Foundation, investing 0.7% of company turnover in the development of sustainable projects in places where it has business, sponsoring sportive, cultural and social projects.