Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s vibrant second-largest city and a major economic center in Latin America, is set to host the 19th edition of Routes Americas in 2026. This premier aviation event focuses on enhancing air service development throughout the Americas. The announcement was made in Rio de Janeiro on 12 December 2024, with RIOgaleão, Invest Rio, and the City Government of Rio de Janeiro leading the organization, supported by Visit Rio.
As an essential financial and commercial hub, Rio de Janeiro is known for its robust and varied economy that spans several sectors including energy, telecommunications, tourism, and entertainment. The World Travel and Tourism Council projects that in 2024, travel and tourism will contribute approximately $169.3 billion to Brazil’s GDP, marking a 9.5% increase from 2019, and anticipates growth to $194.6 billion by 2034.
In anticipation of continuing growth, Rio has made substantial enhancements to its transportation and tourism infrastructures. RIOgaleão—Rio de Janeiro International Airport—now connects the city to over 50 locations worldwide. The airport has seen notable passenger growth in 2024, stimulated by an increasing global interest in Rio’s diverse offerings. In the first half of the year, the city attracted more than 760,000 international visitors, a 19% increase compared to the previous year, and the highest number since the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
