With over 63,000 registrants in 2026 and 262,000 across four editions, ExpoRio Tourism proved that entertainment drives the future of Rio’s tourism sector.
ExpoRio Tourism 2026 turned the Complexo Lagoon venue, in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, into a vibrant showcase of the state’s tourism potential over four packed days of programming. The event was organized by the Rio de Janeiro State Government through the State Secretariat of Tourism (Setur-RJ) and TurisRio, with institutional support from Fecomércio and co-participation from Sesc Rio.
Entire families explored an 18,000-square-meter space that blended leisure, culture, and business. Highlights included the Orla #tônoRio area, a climbing wall, the “Sesc + Fun” children’s space, and a life-size T-Rex replica that captivated visitors of all ages.
“Entertainment plays a strategic role within ExpoRio Tourism. It connects the public to experiences, sparks interest in destinations, and vividly showcases the cultural diversity of our tourist regions. We managed to turn the event into a welcoming, educational, and fun environment for all ages.” — Lucas Alves, Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Tourism
Discovering tourism close to home
Many of the more than 63,000 registrants used the event as an opportunity to explore destinations within their own state. Mariana Souza, 34, a resident of Niterói, came with her family and left impressed. “I was amazed by the number of activities. My kids didn’t want to leave. It’s wonderful to see tourism presented in such a light and fun way,” she said.
The fair also served as an important platform for the creative economy. Leonardo Chaves, 36, a craftsman from the Metropolitan tourist region, highlighted the visibility the event provided. “Here we don’t just sell — we tell the story behind our work. People get curious, ask questions, and truly appreciate it. The entertainment draws the crowd and ends up bringing more people to discover handcraft,” he said.
Four editions, one growing story
The 2026 edition brought together 66 represented municipalities, over 700 exhibitors including artisans and rural producers, more than 100 performing artists, and 48 speakers across 10 talks. The program covered Culture, Gastronomy, Business, Handicrafts, and Rural Tourism.
The four-edition cumulative figures tell a clear story of growth: more than 262,000 registrants, around 81,000 in-person visitors, 983 exhibitors — 888 of them artisans and rural producers — and the creation of over 5,950 direct and indirect jobs.
On the professional development side, 117 content sessions have been held across all editions, with more than 210 speakers. Cultural programming reached 195 attractions, spread across multiple simultaneous stages.
The gastronomic offering featured 46 food trucks and 37 craft breweries from the Rota Cervejeira RJ (RJ Beer Route), alongside tourism guides and volunteers providing on-site support.
Event Info
- Event: ExpoRio Tourism 2026
- Venue: Complexo Lagoon — South Zone, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
- Organizer: Rio de Janeiro State Government, Setur-RJ and TurisRio
- Support: Fecomércio | Co-participation: Sesc Rio
- 2026 registrants: over 63,000
- Cumulative total (4 editions): over 262,000 registrants
