The Christ the Redeemer Monument remains the most sought-after destination in Brazil among international tourists on internet search sites. By 2025, Rio is already the main booked destination. Rio de Janeiro also leads the ranking of the ten most searched Brazilian attractions on the internet, with Christ the Redeemer at the top of the list, having over 175,000 inquiries in a year. The data is from the 2025 edition of the magazine Trends in Tourism, produced by the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) and the Ministry of Tourism (MTur).
Christ the Redeemer gains even more prominence with the launch of Embratur’s campaign “Rio, Blessed City,” made during the Lisbon Tourism Fair (BTL). The goal is to promote the capital of Rio de Janeiro in the European market, highlighting its potential for religious and sports tourism.
According to Embratur’s president, Marcelo Freixo, “the world identifies Brazil when it sees Christ the Redeemer. Rio de Janeiro is the great postcard and the gateway to the country. But the greatest wealth of our city is not translated into images; it is our ability to welcome with joy all the peoples of the world, regardless of creed, skin color, or region of the planet. This is the Rio we will show to the world,” he stated.
Christ the Redeemer
The statue is 30 meters (98 feet) tall and weighs 635 tons. The construction lasted from 1922 to 1931, although the concept of the monument first emerged in the 1850s. It has lightning rods in its arms, head, and hands – on average, it is struck by lightning 12 times each summer.
Record
In January of this year, Rio de Janeiro and other destinations in the state received 502,259 foreign tourists, an increase of 50.4% compared to the same period in 2024, when 333,903 international visitors arrived there.
The data from the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur, and the Federal Police reveal that tourists mainly came from Argentina, Chile, the United States, Uruguay, and France. The secret to continuing to attract so many visitors, especially in the case of the capital, lies in the combination of stunning landscapes, iconic beaches, vibrant nightlife, and unique cultural experiences.
“Rio de Janeiro is the postcard and the main gateway to Brazil. We are investing in promoting international tourism, improving infrastructure, and facilitating access, making not only the capital but also other fantastic destinations in the state even more attractive to foreigners,” said Marcelo Freixo.
Source: Agência Brasil