2024 was the best year in history for international tourism in Brazil, according to Embratur. The country reached the record mark of 6,657,377 foreign tourists in the year, an increase of 12.6% compared to 2023. In December alone, the country received more than 690,236 international visitors, a number 11.1% higher than that recorded in the last month of 2023.
Embratur president Marcelo Freixo attributed the results to the success of the international promotion work carried out by the national tourism agency over the last two years.
“This significant growth that we had in 2023 and 2024 will continue in the coming years, and Brazilian tourism is beginning to turn an important page from being a potential to becoming a reality, a leading segment of the economy in the generation of jobs and income, attracting international revenue, and a model of economic development that can be an ally of the environment,” he said.
Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, added, “This increase reflects our work to promote Brazil’s image abroad. Strategic advertising campaigns, structuring of destinations, participation in international fairs, our UN Tourism office in Rio de Janeiro and the strengthening of partnerships inside and outside the country have boosted our visibility, highlighting the diversity of experiences that Brazil has to offer, such as natural landscapes and our cultural heritage.”
The states of São Paulo (2,207,015), Rio de Janeiro (1,513,235), Paraná (894,536) and Rio Grande do Sul (879,412) emerged as the main entry points for these visitors in 2024. Proportionally, states such as Roraima (97%), Santa Catarina (71.7%), Bahia (52.8%) and Pará (47.4%), which will host COP 30 at the end of the year, recorded significant increases in the number of foreigners in their territories.
Argentina continues to lead the volume of international visitors arriving in Brazil. More than 1,953,548 Argentines landed in the country this year. The United States occupies the second position, having sent 696,512 tourists.
Two out of every three international tourists arriving in Brazil come by plane.
Celso Sabino says Brazil expects to surpass 8 million visitors by 2027 based on continued promotion of tourism and events in the country.
For example, Brazil also launched the brand “Visit South America: one place, many worlds” – a partnership between the Brazilian government, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile to promote and position these countries’ destinations internationally in an integrated manner, focusing on natural, gastronomic and hospitality attractions.
At least 500,000 new seats will be also offered in 2024-25, a nearly 20% increase over the previous summer season.
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