With the complete opening of international borders this year, Brazil has returned to the forefront of travel. As a result, international tourism in Brazil reached record levels in the first six months of this year. In addition, spending by foreign visitors registered its second highest ever.
WTTC predictions confirmed
In the early summer, the World Travel and Tourism Council predicted a strong year for tourism in Brazil. The WTTC President, Julia Simpson, said Brazil is one of the main countries where tourism is recovering and has the potential to grow further.
The latest figures for the sector confirm this prediction as international visitors and their spending registered the highest levels ever. “This increase in international tourism in Brazil brings innumerable economic benefits,” said Celso Sabino, Minister for Tourism. “Job creation, accommodation options, tourist attractions and other businesses all receive a positive impact.”
Over 3.2 million foreign visitors
The first six months of this year saw a record number of international tourists in Brazil. The over 3.2 million visitors between January and June are already 92% of the total in 2022, indicating that 2023 will be the best year ever.
Latin Americans were responsible for the lion’s share of visitors. Those from Argentina numbered 1.3 million, with Paraguayans, Chileans and Uruguayans at around 200-220,000 each. Tourists from the US totalled 327,000.
The most visited states in Brazil were Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná and Santa Catalina.
Record spending levels
The sharp uptick in international tourism in Brazil comes hand in hand with the second-highest spending in 28 years. According to the Brazilian Central Bank, foreign visitors spent around US$3.23 billion (approximately R$15.3 billion) in the first six months of this year.
This figure is considerably above spending since 2020 and 7.2% higher than the first half of 2019. It, therefore, indicates that tourism in Brazil has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
In June alone, international tourists spent around R$2.4 billion in Brazil. The figure is the second highest in 28 years and only beaten by 2014 when Brazil hosted the World Cup.
The WTTC estimates an economic impact from tourism of R$752.3 billion this year, the equivalent of 7.8% of the country’s GDP.
(Source: Ministry of Tourism, WTTC)
