by Arturo Garcia Rosa - President & CEO, SAHIC

There are moments when the market moves beyond numbers and begins to reflect on direction. For me, that moment is now. Even if the calendar signals the start of a new cycle, the reality is that 2026 begins today—in the decisions we make, the conversations we choose to have, and the way we envision the future of our industry.

Latin America and the Caribbean are undergoing a profound transformation. Tourism, hospitality, and real estate development no longer move along parallel paths; today, they converge within a single value ecosystem that is increasingly integrated, sophisticated, and strategic. In this context, models such as branded residences reflect this evolution by proposing a development logic that connects investment, experience, destination, and community.

More than a product category, these models represent a shift in mindset: viewing projects not as isolated initiatives, but as platforms capable of generating financial resilience, attracting qualified capital, and sustainably elevating the standard of tourism offerings. Yet their true value lies not solely in the format, but in the vision that underpins them.

Over the course of these five decades accompanying the evolution of the hospitality industry, I have seen clearly that the most virtuous cycles are not driven solely by growth, but by long-term vision, responsibility, and the ability to adapt. True impact lies in creating sustainable destinations, businesses that transcend generations, and projects that leave a lasting legacy—economic, social, and urban.

At SAHIC, we believe in dialogue between capital and purpose, between brands and territories, between governments and investors. We believe that the future of hospitality in Latin America and the Caribbean will be built by those who know how to intelligently integrate development, sustainability, urban planning, and positive impact.

This conversation will be part of the next edition of the forum—an opportunity to think ahead, provoke reflection, identify opportunities, and shape the next chapters of our industry.

For that reason, I would like to extend a personal invitation: I look forward to welcoming you to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the historic SAHIC 2026 edition.