The president of the Maldonado Business Chamber, Rolando Rozemblum, does not hide its enthusiasm for the present of the summer season, where it aims to “seduce” vacationers through various initiatives so that they choose Punta del Este to stay permanently and, in this way, “raise” their standard of living.
In dialogue with Ambit, The businessman and CEO of the International College stated that it is the traditional “word of mouth” that causes the growth of the population in the resort.
Are we facing a boom of interest from foreign residents to make Punta del Este their place of life?
– The real boom was in the pandemic. Now we are returning to a more organic stage where we have to start comparing what is happening between the day before the pandemic and today. The organic growth of immigration to Punta del Este It is superior to what it was pre-pandemic, not only for the Argentines but also for the Europeans and North Americans who are coming and many Uruguayans who went to look for another life abroad and are returning to the Uruguay. We also noticed that people from the interior who normally migrated to Montevideois now migrating to Punta del Este.
Are you noticing a special interest from Argentinians in coming to Punta del Este?
– The Argentines who are in Punta del Este They are already doing the process of attracting other Argentines. When one experiences this city and begins to perceive the quality of life, the tranquility he has, to the political and security stability, ratifies his decision to always invite someone else to come. So growth will continue to happen not only because of the economic situation and political securitybut also for the Argentine who is here.
During the PASSED, when a triumph of “Christianity” was predicted, here at the International College the phone “buzzed.” Also when it was said that he won in the runoff Sergio Massa and then he turned around and won Javier Milei, but it “buzzed” again. I think that a victory for Massa would have been more impactful for the Uruguayan immigration process. But what we want as Uruguayans is for him not to do badly Argentinawe don’t want to get fruit from a fallen tree, we want to get them from a healthy tree.
What first image do you have of the start of the season?
– Fantastic. In the afternoons we are in the city practically collapsed, with a significant level of saturation, historic rates in hotels, full restaurants, Brazilians consuming unprecedented amounts. The big challenge now is going to be the second fortnight. Knowing what is going to happen mainly with the middle class that is absent, the Argentine middle class that left a space. But we believe that the absence of that middle class will also provide a more selective service to those who remain and will provide more possibilities for consumption. So it’s going to be interesting.
In that sense, what plans does the International College have? From what nationalities are you receiving students in 2024?
– Today we have more or less 23 nationalities. We would open with some new nationalities, for example someone will be coming from Abu Dhabi. There are already many curious nationalities and a lot of expectations. The school should grow by approximately 10 to 15% next year, with 70 new children enrolled.
Practically a “tower of babel”, where everyone speaks their language and education brings them together…
– The thing is Punta del Este It is a city of outsiders. So someone who comes here wants to repeat his experience by facilitating the experience of the other person close to him. It’s different than when you have an established community. Here everything is very open. In Punta del Este you live like you did 30 years ago. Social relationships are intense and everyone wants the other to have a good time as one has already had.
Is there still a cost issue with Punta del Este? Because the concern is still present that it is a bit expensive and not accessible to everyone…
– At the Maldonado Business Chamber I recently made the empanada index. There is the Big Mac index, well I generated the empanada index. And there is a 600% difference in the price of the empanada. If you want to eat an empanada looking at the Gorriti Island It’s going to cost you a price. If you want to eat an empanada in the center of Maldonado it will cost you six times less. And that’s real. So there is something for everyone.
Source: Ambito
