Brazil records surge in European and British arrivals

Brazil welcomed 1.28 million European tourists between January and August 2026, a 14.03% increase on the same period last year and the strongest January-to-August performance in two decades, according to data from national tourism agency Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Federal Police.

The UK market also posted significant growth, with 135,442 British arrivals during the first eight months of the year, up 11.37% from 121,619 in 2025. It was Brazil’s fifth-largest European source market and 12th-largest international market, while volumes reached their highest level for the period in a decade.

August continued the upward trend, with 171,565 European arrivals, 5.43% above August 2025 and the highest August total on record. British arrivals rose 9.19% year on year to 13,452, also marking the market’s best August performance in 10 years.

Overall, Brazil recorded 6.45 million international tourist arrivals in the first eight months of 2026. São Paulo led destinations with 1.89 million visitors, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 1.67 million.

Embratur President Bruno Reis said: “The growth in international tourist arrivals positions us as an attractive hub for new investments in the service sector.”

He added that the increase in foreign visitors was expanding the local business base and regional supply chain, while supporting Brazil’s international tourism promotion strategy.

Earlier this year, Brazil granted eight key international markets short-stay visa-free entry.