Brazil records record tourist numbers

Brazil received 6.65 million foreign tourists in 2024 – a year-on-year increase of 12.6%, according to Embratur.

This included a total of 690,200 international visitors in December alone – an 11.1% increase compared with the same month in 2023.

During the first 11 months of the year, the total spending by foreign tourists in the country reached US$6.62 billion – the highest figure for the first 11 months recorded since 1995.

The figures – consolidated from data collected by Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism (MTur), and the Federal Police (PF) – indicate that 2024 was the highest on record for the country in terms of visitor numbers.

The data also found that two-thirds of international visitors arrive in Brazil via plane, while land transport represents most of the remainder at 28.7% of all arrivals.

Brazil is a major destination for Argentinians

Argentina continues to be the biggest country in terms of inbound visitors, with around 1.95 million arriving in Brazil in 2024. This was followed by the US in second position, with 696,512 tourists, and Chile in third place at 651,776. Paraguay and Uruguay, together, made up an additional 833,412 visitors.

Four states drew in the vast majority of tourists, with São Paulo topping the list with 2.2 million tourists. The other three were Rio de Janeiro (1.5 million), Paraná (894,536) and Rio Grande do Sul (879,412).

“It is a joy to be able to disclose such positive numbers for our country,” said Celso Sabino, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism. “This increase reflects our work to promote Brazil’s image abroad.”

Sabino added: “The growth in the number of international visitors is one of the main goals of the National Tourism Plan 2024–2027, which aims to consolidate Brazil as the main tourist destination in South America. Our expectation is to surpass the mark of 8.1 million foreign tourists per year, generating more than $8.1 billion in revenues and further strengthening the national economy.”

Wellbeing is a top priority for those looking to travel in 2025, according to research from InsureandGo.