Brazil has kicked off 2025 with a remarkable tourism boom, welcoming 2,810,553 international visitors in the first two months of the year—a historic high for this period. This surge represents a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Embratur and the Federal Police.
In February alone, Brazil recorded 1,326,884 international arrivals, marking a 59.2% growth and setting a new monthly record. This follows January’s impressive total of 1.48 million foreign visitors, making it the second consecutive month of record-breaking tourism numbers.
Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur, expressed his enthusiasm about the milestone, noting that Brazil is now realizing its full tourism potential. “We are surpassing even the most optimistic projections, and Brazil has truly gone viral. The world is eager to experience the vibrant Brazil of Fernanda Torres, funk music, the Amazon, and the diverse, democratic spirit that defines our nation,” Freixo said.
Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, echoed this optimism, calling the surge in international tourism an “exceptional moment” for the country. “Brazil is breaking records, and we’re starting 2025 on a high note. The expectation is that this growth will continue,” he said.
The numbers for the first two months of 2025 are significantly above projections from global sources such as GlobalData (+7.2%) and the National Tourism Plan (+1.8%).
Key Entry Points: Rio Grande do Sul remains the leading gateway for international tourists, with 347,186 arrivals in the first two months of 2025. São Paulo follows closely behind with 309,977 visitors, thanks to its major international hub, Guarulhos Airport. Rio de Janeiro also saw strong numbers, welcoming 262,108 foreign tourists. In the Northeast, Bahia’s capital, Salvador, remains the region’s top destination for international visitors, with 24,254 travelers.
Surge in Argentine Visitors: Argentina continues to be a major source of tourism for Brazil. February saw 662,694 Argentine tourists cross into Brazil, more than doubling the number of visitors from the neighboring country compared to the same month in 2024 (306,756). Additionally, European interest in Brazil has surged, with a 56% increase in European arrivals between January and February. France, Portugal, Germany, the UK, and Italy collectively sent 142,000 tourists in February, up from just over 91,000 in January.
2024 Sets Record for Annual Arrivals: Brazil’s tourism industry also closed out 2024 on a high note, having recorded its highest-ever number of annual international arrivals. A total of 6,773,619 visitors traveled to Brazil in 2024, marking a 14.6% increase over 2023’s total of 5,908,341 foreign tourists.
Brazil’s continued growth as a top international destination points to a promising future for the country’s tourism sector in 2025 and beyond.
