Beware, Brazil will be expensive!

MOST people may have been aware that going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup will not come cheap but for those who have been taking it for granted, they have officially been notified: Beware, Brazil will be expensive!

Aside the air and match tickets, one will need about $250 a day or $7,750 minimum, for three weeks to be able to enjoy the fiesta in Brazil.

That is the notice the Brazil Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Irene Vida Gala, is  serving as Ghanaian fans prepare for the trip to the South American country.

In an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports last Wednesday, Madam Gala said much as people were enthused about being part of the football fiesta in Brazil, it was important for them to also go financially prepared as there would be no freebies.
 
"Nothing is for free. Apart from the air tickets and the match tickets, the average cost for food and accommodation would be around $280 per person or about $400 for a couple per day over the tournament period and that certainly is huge for the ordinary person, unless savings have been made over a period or the person is going on sponsorship.

“As it is with most international events, local authorities in Brazil were pushing for 100 per cent increment in prices of internal transport but only 15 per cent was granted much to the disappointment of the local authorities," Madam Gala indicated.

She said it was important for fans who intended to go to Brazil to make early bookings as they were expecting at least 3,200 fans per country from the 23 other participating countries.

"Accommodation is already a big challenge and so people must be mindful to make early bookings else they will be disappointed,” she said.

Despite the cost involved for fans, Madam Gala said the Brazil government had put measures in place to bring cost down for fans.

"For instance, due to the travelling times from one place to another, a huge number of special flights have been authorised to the match venues just so the cost of travelling will be reduced and that is a big effort."

She also indicated that even though visas for the World Cup would be issued for free, applicants could only benefit if they provided confirmation slips of their match tickets purchased from FIFA online, as well as air a ticket and accommodation booking confirmation slips.

"There will be no exemption. Everyone who wants to go to Brazil whether by air or sea must provide a proof of their match tickets bought, as well as the bookings made, for travel and accommodation.

"It is important that this is done because during the competition, there will be a lot of pressure and we don't want anyone to go and be stranded,” Madam Gala warned.

She, however, said for those who wanted to go to Brazil but had not purchased match tickets, they could apply for the tourist visa but they would have to provide a financial statement that would prove that the person was capable of supporting himself while in Brazil as well as air tickets and accommodation bookings.

Madam Gala said the media personnel and others who had been given accreditation by FIFA would also be issued with free visas upon the presentation of the proof of their accreditation.

She urged fans who intended to go to Brazil and who had all their documents ready to apply for the visas early so as to forestall last minute rush which would put pressure on the Embassy.

"Three thousand, two hundred tickets have been alloted to fans from Ghana. Assuming all these tickets will be sold, it means processing that number of visas. As the first batch of tickets have already been sold, the confirmation slips have been issued. “For those who applied in the second opening, they have up to today to know their status else they will have to wait till March 11, to try again. Whatever it is, I would urge those who have their documents ready to apply now so as to avoid those anxious moments when everyone is applying at the same time.

"Application for World Cup visas will be given priority over the normal tourist visa so it's important everyone takes note before deciding," Madam Gala explained.