The year 2024 is on track to set a new record for international tourism revenue in Brazil. Data released by the Central Bank shows that foreign tourists injected $4.8 billion into the Brazilian economy from January to August, a figure that is 9% higher than the same period in 2023, which recorded $4.4 billion. This amount also surpasses the $4.1 billion collected during the first eight months of 2019, the year before the pandemic.
In August alone, foreign tourists in Brazil spent US$555.2 million. According to Embratur president Marcelo Freixo, the increasing revenue from international tourism in Brazil is due to the country’s reconnection with the world, as it has once again become a sought-after destination for international travelers.
“This is the most significant return on our efforts; it’s foreign money entering Brazil’s economy directly benefiting the Brazilian population. Among the economic activities that bring in foreign currency, tourism has the greatest impact on people’s lives: 95% of businesses are small enterprises. It’s jobs and income at the heart of the economy in both large and small municipalities across the country,” Freixo emphasizes.
Tourism Minister Celso Sabino also celebrated the results and emphasized that the federal government is committed to attracting more international visitors by improving air connectivity and the tourism infrastructure of destinations. “The growth in this figure is also due to strengthened international promotion efforts. We have been working to increasingly show the world that Brazil is a safe country that combines natural beauty, culture, and gastronomy all in one place,” he commented.
The figures reported in August confirm Brazil’s growing trend in international tourism. In 2023, international travelers contributed a record amount of US$6.9 billion to the country, surpassing the previous highest revenue in history—recorded in 2014 when Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup—by 1.5%. In that year, foreign visitors left a total of US$6.8 billion in the Brazilian economy.
Source: Embratur