Brazil has shattered tourism expectations in 2025, attracting more than nine million international visitors, a 40pc jump from the previous year and the highest since the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
This growth positions the country as a top performer globally, outpacing most American nations and ranking second worldwide behind Vanuatu. Argentines top the list with over three million arrivals, followed by Chileans, Americans, and Europeans.
Rio de Janeiro remains the epicentre, with bustling beaches like Copacabana during the Southern Hemisphere summer. Factors driving the boom include a 15pc increase in international flight capacity, new routes such as Iberia’s direct connections from Madrid to Fortaleza and Recife, and government promotions at tourism fairs.
Niche sectors like afrotourism, indigenous community experiences, and Amazon destinations, including Belém do Pará (bolstered by the COP30 summit), have flourished. In Rio alone, tourism generated nearly 4.5bn dollars from January to November, with events like a Lady Gaga concert drawing millions.
