Brazil has reached an unprecedented milestone in its tourism industry by recording the arrival of 9 million international visitors before the end of 2025. This figure not only shatters the record of 6.77 million set in 2024, but also significantly exceeds the 6.9 million projected in the 2024–2027 National Tourism Plan.
The achievement was celebrated at the “Turistometer” in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, during an event attended by Embratur President Marcelo Freixo and representatives of the private sector. The festivities were energized by percussionists from the Mangueira samba school, symbolizing the cultural richness that draws millions of people to the country.
From January to November this year, international visitors injected $7.17 billion into Brazil’s economy, according to figures released by the Central Bank. This represents an increase of 8.41% compared with the same period last year and comes very close to the full-year 2024 total of $7.3 billion.
According to Embratur’s president, the result reflects efforts to reposition Brazil’s image abroad and implement strategic actions in priority markets. “This is a historic figure that generates jobs, income, and development in every region, strengthening tourism as one of the major drivers of our economy,” Freixo emphasized.
During the first eleven months of 2025, the main source countries for tourists were:
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Argentina: the clear leader with 3.1 million visitors, an impressive increase of 82.1% compared with the same period in 2024.
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Chile: 721,497 tourists (+24.4%).
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United States: 677,888 visitors, up from 640,579 in 2024 (+5.8%).
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Uruguay: 487,514 tourists (+37.2%).
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Paraguay: 454,327 arrivals (+14.4%).
The state of São Paulo consolidated its position as the country’s main gateway, welcoming nearly 2.5 million foreign tourists between January and November. It was followed by Rio de Janeiro (1.97 million), Rio Grande do Sul (1.43 million), Paraná (958,000), and Santa Catarina (651,000).
Looking ahead, João Marcello Barreto, president of Orla Rio, said the milestone strengthens cooperation between the public sector and private enterprise to enhance service quality and sustainability. He added that continued growth is already projected for the summer of 2026, supported by an increase in ticket sales to the state capital and the expansion of the international air network at Galeão Airport.
The record coincides with the national campaign “The record of foreign tourism is the pride of an entire country,” which highlights real stories of people working in the sector. The goal is to show how international tourism directly impacts social development and the economy of thousands of Brazilian families.
