GMB - Why did you decide to run for president of ABIH?
Vanessa Morales - What makes me want to reach the presidency of ABIH is the certainty that it takes management experience, humility to listen to the demands of all Brazilian states, political articulation, determination and focus. And I acquired all this over a decade in the hotel market.
What are your main proposals for ABIH?
We have 29 proposals and among them I highlight the challenge of regulating Airbnb. We were able to regulate the platform in Caldas Novas, in the interior of Goiás. It was the first city in Brazil to do this. Our goal is to do the same at the federal level, covering all municipalities. Other challenges are the amendment of the Brazilian Inclusion Law, adjustments to ECAD collection and the release of gaming. The release of the betting sector in Brazil should mainly boost the hotel sector, which is recovering slowly from the crisis that started in 2014. I also advocate the creation of a council among all entities that represent the hotel industry in Brazil so that all the demands of the sector discussed and triggered together.
How do you evaluate your management at ABIH - GO?
It is a management that will leave a great legacy and was of great deliveries to the members: of Airbnb regulation in Caldas Novas (GO); conducting five hotel censuses in Goiânia, Anápolis, Pirenópolis, Trindade and Caldas Novas; holding the National Hotel Congress (Conotel) in 2019, the largest hotel event in the country; implementation of the Knowledge Circuit, in which a monthly lecture was given to members, including in the interior of the State. It was an integration management, with the holding of social events that, many times, brought the members together for rich exchanges of ideas, aiming at the advancement of the sector and also the network between the members.
What is your position regarding the legalization of casinos in Brazil? What about the rest of gambling?
Our sector “Renewal and Union” advocates the release of bingo games and casinos. The bill, which is already at an advanced stage of discussion in the Federal Senate, is due to be considered by the Plenary and will continue for presidential sanction later this year. Non-regulation favors crime and illegality. Every year the Federal Government fails to raise about US$ 7 billion by not legalizing bets. This over a period of three years.
Do you believe that casinos could benefit the tourism sector in Brazil? And what about your state? How?
I believe that the release of gaming in Brazil, in addition to increasing the collection of taxes for the government, would also be a way to boost job creation, reaching around 700 thousand vacancies. It is another tourist attraction to strengthen tourism in our country, besides bringing more investors to the hotel market in Brazil. In Goiás, the municipality of Caldas Novas, for example, expects to become the Brazilian Las Vegas.
In your opinion, should only resort casinos be allowed or do you think there should be physical casinos independent of major hotels?
We advocate the release of casinos within resorts because we believe that this model would drive the economy, the entire hotel industry with increased sales of food, beverages and entertainment and, more importantly, within a safer environment.
Have you been following what happens in the Chamber of Deputies and Senators with the gambling legalization laws? Do you believe this year there will be news?
In the Senate, discussions are controversial. On the one hand, the bench defends legalization over the economic bias. From this perspective, lawmakers argue that the money raised could be a breath in times of the financial crisis. On the other side, however, is the more conservative bench that is against legalization for moral reasons. The subject is controversial but must be regulated. Jogo do bicho, bingo and casino games have been banned in the country since 1946. The possibility of release through the Senate PLS 186/2014 has already attracted the interest of major international casino operators.
What is ABIH's role in this discussion about gaming legalization in Brazil?
ABIH is a strong entity that must actively participate in all decisions that affect tourism in Brazil, whether those of legislative or executive origin. I believe that it is up to the entities not only to politically articulate the approval of projects that benefit the sector, but also to lead this debate so that it is promoted within the main aspects that really interest the country and the private sector, that is the economic advance in tourism.
Source: Exclusiva Games Magazine Brasil
