by Arturo Garcia Rosa - President & CEO, SAHIC

There are moments in the history of a sector that require more than simple adaptation - they demand vision, boldness and the ability to act in a coordinated way. This is precisely where the hotel and branded residences industry in Latin America and the Caribbean stands today.

In recent years, the region has undergone profound transformations. We’ve learned that waiting for demand to grow is not enough to deliver results. We must create the right environment for hotel investment to thrive and innovation to take root. This involves governments committed to creating stable and transparent conditions, hotel operators attentive to the new needs of travelers and investors willing to bet on projects that combine economic return and positive impact.

The industry is in a moment of creative effervescence. New hospitality concepts, mixed use models, branded residences, deeper integration with the local economy and the increasingly consistent adoption of ESG standards are no longer exceptions - they are market expectations. What used to be a trend is now a requirement to remain competitive and relevant.

This shift mindset is the real engine behind the new cycle we are entering. When governments, hotel networks, owners and investors align purpose and strategy, create conditions to transform destinations, enhance revenues and generate shared value.

In this context, in March 2026, SAHIC will host its 20th edition, returning to Rio de Janeiro. It will not just be a commemorative event. It will be a strategic space to debate the future with precision and courage, identify concrete opportunities and foster connections capable of changing the hotel map in the region, creating the right environment for capital and projects to meet.

Latin America and the Caribbean have a real chance to play a more prominent role on the global hospitality stage. We just need to continue thinking big - and act together - to turn potential into reality.

See you in Rio !