International Tourism in Brazil Breaks Record with $620 Million Influx in April

Brazil’s revenue from international tourism surged by 37.1% in April compared to the same period last year, setting a new record. Foreign visitors contributed US$ 620 million (R$ 3.220 billion) to the Brazilian economy in the fourth month of 2024, the highest amount recorded since the series began in 1995. In April 2023, the figure was US$ 452 million.

In the first four months of 2024, international tourism revenue also reached historic highs, growing by 23.8% compared to the same period last year. From January to April, foreign tourists spent US$ 2.6 billion in Brazil, marking the best performance on record. Last year, the total for this period was US$ 2.1 billion.

Additionally, comparing the first four months of 2024 to the same period in 2019, a pre-pandemic year, there was a 17.6% increase, explained Tourism Minister Celso Sabino. “We are experiencing a spectacular moment for tourism in Brazil. Our country is standing out, and the proof is in the rising numbers of foreign arrivals and spending,” he emphasized.

The ranking of countries sending the most tourists to Brazil in 2024 is led by Argentina, with 1.07 million visitors, although this represents an 11.1% decrease in the year-to-date compared to 2023. This reduction is due to the economic crisis in the neighboring country. Following Argentina are Chile, with a 32.2% increase, the United States, with a 9% increase, and Paraguay, with a 9.8% growth. Uruguay, France, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy complete the list of the top ten sources.

Tourist Arrivals

Brazil closed the first four months of 2024 with a 7.4% increase in international tourist numbers compared to the same period last year: 2.92 million tourists this year versus 2.71 million in 2023. This was the third-best four-month period in history, behind only 2018 (3.10 million) and 2017 (2.99 million). The data, calculated in partnership with Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism (MTur), and the Federal Police (PF), reinforce the growth trend.

Marcelo Freixo projected a positive outlook for the rest of the year. “We had a 2023 that saw recovery to pre-pandemic levels of tourist arrivals, and we’ve already broken revenue records. In 2024, the numbers show a consolidated growth curve. We expect to end the year with very positive results. This increasing influx of tourists means more investment in Brazil, more money circulating in our economy,” he stated.

Source: Embratur