SAHIC confirms historic edition in Rio de Janeiro in 2026 and projects up to US$ 1.6 billion in investments for tourism and hotels

The agreement was signed this morning, in a meeting between the CEO of SAHIC, Arturo García Rosa, the Vice Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Cavaliere Gonçalves Pinto, and the President of Invest.Rio, Sidney Levy, consolidating the capital of Rio de Janeiro as a strategic stage for business and innovation in the sector.

“It is a milestone. Rio de Janeiro is globally recognized, but it is also a fertile territory for innovation and opportunities that are still little explored. We are convinced that it will be a historic edition”, highlighted García Rosa.

Expected investments may exceed US$ 1.6 billion

Based on the projections presented by Arturo García Rosa, the 2026 edition could generate more than US$ 1.6 billion in investments in the tourism and hospitality sector — a historic record for the event and an important indicator of the recovery and expansion of the Latin American market.

“Before the pandemic, we had editions reaching US$ 1.2 billion. We returned to that level in 2025. And, with everything that is being structured here, the potential for 2026 is even greater”, he stated.

According to him, several deals initiated during SAHIC 2025 are already in an advanced stage of negotiation and should be formally announced by March 2026, at the event in Rio.

Brazil: on the radar of new global investors

One of the main highlights of the press conference was the new profile of investors who have started to look at Brazil with more strategic interest. SAHIC 2025 brought together more than 400 participants from 15 countries, and Arturo highlighted the growing presence of international groups that do not yet operate in the country.

“We saw players who, until then, had never considered Brazil. Now they want to understand the market, talk to local developers, form alliances. This completely changes the game.”

Traditionally driven by domestic capital, the Brazilian hotel sector is now on the radar of foreign funds and international chains, with a growing focus on high-end projects, such as luxury resorts and branded residences.

Opportunities beyond the obvious: theme parks and hidden destinations

Another strategic point raised was the enormous potential of segments that, although very popular among Brazilians, remain practically invisible in the international market — such as theme parks and regional destinations that are still little promoted globally.

“Brazil has regions with a very high internal tourist flow, but which are completely unknown outside the country. It is a huge opportunity for international investors and operators.”

The 2026 agenda will be built with big names in the sector

The 2026 edition’s schedule will be drawn up by an international planning committee led by the SAHIC team, with the participation of names such as Abel Castro (Accor), Diogo Canteras, Ricardo Mader, and other prominent executives from the hotel industry.

The first draft of the official agenda will be released in August 2025 on the conference website.

Rio as a continental stage

More than just a host city, Rio de Janeiro is consolidating itself as a showcase for the entire region. The choice of the city has a direct impact on the ability to attract new investors, connect international operators with local developers, and drive structuring business for the sector.

“SAHIC is a regional event. It represents Latin America and the Caribbean, and brings together the main names in the sector. Rio has this strength of international projection and local engagement — which is why it is once again hosting this historic 20th edition,” said the CEO.

With a set date and a closed agreement, SAHIC 2026 promises to go beyond the symbolic. It will be a catalytic edition for the future of hospitality and tourism in the region — and Brazil is at the center of this transformation.

Report: Mary de Aquino.
Photo: Divulgação.