In 2025, Brazil experienced its best moment in international tourism. The country registered 9,287,196 arrivals of foreign tourists, the highest volume ever observed in the historical series. In practice, this flow is equivalent to almost 3,000 international flights landing in Brazilian territory throughout the year, bringing visitors from different parts of the world to visit national destinations.

The result represents a significant growth of 37.1% compared to 2024, the year that, until then, held the historical record, with about 6.7 million international visitors. The advance consolidates Brazil as an increasingly competitive and desirable destination in the global tourism scene.

In addition to surpassing the previous year's performance, the country also comfortably exceeded the target set in the 2024–2025 National Tourism Plan (PNT). The expectation for 2025 was to reach 6.9 million international arrivals, a figure that was exceeded by 34.6%, reinforcing the effectiveness of public policies, international promotion, and coordination with states, municipalities, and the private sector.

The Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Feliciano, emphasizes that the result achieved is the fruit of a partnership between the government and the sector. “Achieving this record was only possible thanks to a solid and consistent partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur, and the tourism trade. We worked strategically to show the world Brazil's diversity, culture, hospitality, and potential as one of the world's great tourist destinations,” he said.

The good performance continued until the last month of the year. In December 2025, Brazil recorded an 11% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. In total, 896,488 foreign visitors arrived at national destinations, about 90,000 more than in the same month of the previous year.

The result consolidated December as the fourth best month of the year in terms of international arrivals, behind only January, February, and March. 

“We exceeded all expectations and made 2025 the greatest year in the history of international tourism in Brazil. We brought to the world the mark of our authenticity, our diversity, the Brazilian soft power that has so enchanted the planet. This result is also a reflection of an innovative strategy that worked very well to expand our connectivity. It was a record-breaking year, which translated into new opportunities for the people, entrepreneurs developing, jobs and income being generated in our country from this economic engine that is tourism," celebrates Embratur President Marcelo Freixo.

GATEWAYS AND MAIN SOURCE MARKETS

The data show that the major tourist and airport hubs continued to be the main entry points for foreigners in Brazil. São Paulo led the ranking, with 2,753,869 international visitors, followed by Rio de Janeiro, with 2,196,443, and Rio Grande do Sul, which received 1,535,806 tourists throughout the year.

Among the source markets, Argentina maintained its absolute leadership, with 3,386,823 tourists, reaffirming the strength of regional tourism and South American integration. Next came Chileans, with 801,921 visitors, and Americans, who totaled 759,637 arrivals in Brazil in 2025. Travelers from European countries such as France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain together accounted for 1,274,567 visitors arriving in Brazil.

This record performance confirms tourism's leading role as a driver of economic development, job creation, and strengthening Brazil's image abroad, as well as signaling a promising outlook for the coming years, in line with the guidelines of the National Tourism Plan.

Text: Fábio Marques/Ministry of Tourism Communications Office