Brazil sets record for foreign tourists in first half of year

Brazil set a record for foreign tourists in the first half of the year, the Ministry of Tourism announced Thursday (Jul. 3). Between January and June, the country welcomed 5,332,111 visitors—a 48.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Federal Police, tourists from Argentina led the list during the period, with 2,323,891 visitors, followed by Chile (442,993), and the United States (410,189).

The National Tourism Plan had forecasted 6.9 million international visitors for this year. Based on the results of the first half of the year, the government now estimates that the target of 8.1 million foreign tourists, originally set for 2027, will be reached by 2025—two years ahead of schedule.

Growth

In June alone, 444,882 foreign tourists arrived in Brazil, a 33.8 percent increase over the same month in 2024. Currently, tourism accounts for 8 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP—the sum of goods and services produced in the country), and growth is expected.

According to Brazil’s international tourism authority Embratur, the country’s airline network grew 16 percent in 2025, following an 18 percent expansion last year.

Embratur attributes the increase to the use of data intelligence and expanded promotion of Brazil in international markets.