In 2025, Rio remains the top destination booked by foreign tourists. The city also continues to lead the ranking of the ten most sought-after attractions online in Brazil, with Christ the Redeemer at the top of the list, with over 175,000 searches in a year. The data comes from the 2025 edition of Tourism Trends, published by the Brazilian Agency for International Promotion of Tourism (Embratur) and the Ministry of Tourism.
The Christ the Redeemer statue gained even more prominence with the launch of the Rio, Blessed City campaign by Embratur at the Lisbon Tourism Fair (BTL) last week. The initiative aims to promote the city in the European market, highlighting its appeal for religious and sports tourism.
According to Embratur’s president, Marcelo Freixo, Christ the Redeemer is one of Brazil’s most recognizable symbols in the world. “Rio de Janeiro is the country’s great postcard and main gateway. But the greatest treasure of our city is not just its iconic images — it is our ability to welcome people from all over the world with joy, regardless of their faith, skin color, or origin. This is the Rio we want to show the world,” he said.
Christ the Redeemer
The statue stands 30 meters (98 feet) tall and weighs 635 tons. It was built between 1922 and 1931. Equipped with lightning rods on its arms, head, and hands, it is struck by lightning an average of 12 times each summer.
A ranking based on data from the Similarweb platform, which measures internet traffic, highlights Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, the Iguaçu Falls in Paraná, and the Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão as standout attractions.
In January, Rio de Janeiro and other destinations across the state welcomed 502,259 foreign tourists, a 50.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when the number of international visitors reached 333,903.
Data from the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur, and the Federal Police also reveal that most tourists came from Argentina, Chile, the United States, Uruguay, and France.
According to the magazine, the key to continuing to attract so many visitors, especially to Rio, lies in the combination of stunning landscapes, iconic beaches, vibrant nightlife, and unique cultural experiences, such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the lively samba circles in the Lapa neighborhood in the city center.
“We are investing in the promotion of international tourism, improving infrastructure and accessibility, making other incredible destinations in the state even more attractive to foreigners, beyond the capital,” said Marcelo Freixo.
Source: Agência Brasil