Hotel Sector Criticizes Medical Protest During World Rally Launch

The launch of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Encarnación, a significant event for Paraguay, was overshadowed by a protest from striking medical professionals. The hotel sector, which reported 100% occupancy for the event, expressed strong reservations about the timing and location of the demonstration.

Andy Sbardella, president of the Encarnación Hotel Association, acknowledged the legitimacy of the medical staff's demands. However, he voiced concerns that the protest, which attempted to march towards key competition areas like the Sambadrome, could have negatively impacted the country's image. He praised the police for containing the demonstrators and maintaining clear transit routes, which he felt minimized the disruption in a city already struggling with inadequate infrastructure and heavy tourist traffic.

Sbardella characterized the interruption of the rally, an event requiring a year of inter-institutional preparation, as an "imprudence that bordered on boycotting the national image." He argued that the presence of marching doctors with signs near the WRC jeopardized Paraguay's efforts to present itself as a serious destination for international investment and tourism.

The rally is projected to inject around $200 million into the local economy, with an estimated $20 million going to the state in VAT. Sbardella emphasized that this influx of revenue supports public services and creates employment. He noted that hotels in Encarnación are fully booked, with nearby towns also experiencing high reservation rates, highlighting the significant economic impact of hosting such a large-scale international event.