Record visitors to Brazilian parks add BRL 20 billion to GDP
Tourism in Brazilian conservation areas in 2025 generated BRL 40.7 billion in sales in Brazil, contributed BRL 20.3 billion to gross domestic product (GDP), and supported more than 332,500 jobs in the country.
The figures are based on a study conducted by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
The survey also indicates that, collectively, the 175 federal conservation units open to visitors recorded 28.5 million visits last year, the highest number since the series began in 2000.
National parks accounted for the majority of this visitor flow, totaling 13.6 million visits, up from 12.5 million recorded the previous year. According to ICMBio, this growth is linked to improved visitor monitoring, investment in infrastructure and services, the inclusion of new areas in the system, and a greater appreciation of natural environments in the post-pandemic period.
The study also shows that for every BRL 1 invested in ICMBio, BRL 16 in GDP value added and BRL 2.30 in tax revenue are generated. Tourism activity in conservation areas generated nearly BRL 3 billion in taxes, more than double the agency’s total budget.
The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, João Paulo Capobianco, stated that the data demonstrate the economic potential of protected areas. According to him, since 2023, the Brazilian government has created and expanded 20 conservation units, totaling more than 1.7 million hectares.
“Conservation units are not only fundamental for regulating hydrological cycles and the climate, protecting biodiversity, and controlling deforestation; they also contribute significantly to the sustainable development of our economy. Caring for these protected areas, therefore, is essential,” said Capobianco.
ICMBio President Mauro Pires emphasized that the figures underscore the strategic role of nature tourism in regional development.
“Conservation units, such as national parks, are strategic for Brazil’s development. We recorded record visitation levels and strong data on job creation, income, and tax revenue, which further reinforces that investing in nature conservation and in people’s experiences in natural areas generates economic benefits, health, and quality of life,” said Pires.
Most visited parks
The ranking of the most visited parks is led by Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, which welcomed more than 4.9 million visitors in 2025. The park is home to Christ the Redeemer and features attractions such as Pedra da Gávea, Pedra Bonita, Vista Chinesa, and Pico da Tijuca, as well as long-distance trails like the Transcarioca.
In second place is Iguaçu National Park, in Paraná state, with 2.2 million visits. Known for the Iguaçu Falls, the park has expanded its tourism offerings to include activities such as cycling, stargazing, boat tours, and nighttime full-moon visits.
Jericoacoara National Park, in the state of Ceará, ranks third with 1.3 million visitors. The destination features attractions such as Pedra Furada, Árvore da Preguiça, and the Guriú River mangroves, and is also a national hub for sports such as kitesurfing.
Among other categories of conservation areas, the top spot went to the Right Whale Environmental Protection Area in the state of Santa Catarina, which recorded 9.05 million visits. For the first time, the survey also included data from the São Francisco River Natural Monument, which spans the states of Bahia and Sergipe, with 1.17 million visitors.
The study used the international Tourism Economic Model for Protected Areas (TEMPA), recognized by UNESCO and the World Bank, to measure the economic impacts of tourism in protected areas.
In addition to conventional tourism, ICMBio notes that conservation areas welcome visitors interested in environmental education, scientific research, birdwatching, wildlife observation, rock climbing, hiking, and experiences with traditional communities.
The agency also notes that the growth in visitation increases management challenges, including balancing public use with environmental conservation, expanding infrastructure, strengthening environmental education initiatives, and improving the monitoring of ecosystem impacts.
