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 US$ 4.8 billion into the Brazilian economy from January to August, a figure 9% higher than the same period in 2023, which recorded US$ 4.4 billion. This amount also surpasses the US$ 4.1 billion collected in the first eight months of 2019, the year prior to the pandemic.
In August alone, foreign tourists in Brazil spent US$ 555.2 million. According to the president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, the increase in international tourism revenue in Brazil is due to the country’s reconnection with the world, as it has once again become a coveted destination for international travelers.
“This is the most significant return on our efforts; it is foreign money entering the Brazilian 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. These are jobs and income at the heart of the economy in large and small municipalities across the country,” emphasizes Freixo.
The Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, also celebrated the results and highlighted that the federal government is committed to attracting more international visitors by improving air connectivity and the tourist infrastructure of destinations. “The growth of this figure is also due to strengthened international promotion efforts. We have been working to show the world more and more that Brazil is a safe country that combines natural beauty, culture, and gastronomy all in one place,” he commented.
The numbers released in August confirm the trend of growth in international tourism in Brazil. In 2023, international travelers contributed a record amount of US$ 6.9 billion to the country, surpassing the highest revenue in previous history — recorded in 2014 when Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup — by 1.5%. That year, foreign visitors left a total of US$ 6.8 billion in the Brazilian economy.
Source: Embratur