São Paulo, Jun 11 (EFE).- Brazil’s Northeast, renowned for its paradise-like beaches, warm waters, and rich cultural heritage, is experiencing a wave of record numbers of foreign visitors, who have benefited from recent improvements in air connectivity.
The region, home to cities such as Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife, “is growing consistently, attracting strategic markets and helping project Brazil onto the global stage,” said Bruno Reis, president of Embratur, the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion.
“The Northeast is more connected, more competitive and increasingly present in the imagination of international travellers,” Reis told EFE.
Record after record
Made up of nine states, Brazil’s Northeast broke its tourism record last year with 490,778 international visitors and recorded growth of 91.24% between 2023 and 2025. Argentina remains the largest source market, accounting for 170,399 tourists.
South American countries were responsible for 216,333 foreign arrivals in 2025, making the region the second-largest source market, with growth of 71.25% compared with 2024, driven primarily by visitors from Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
In 2026, the Northeast has maintained its upward trajectory, setting another record in the first quarter with 219,063 international visitors, a surge of 66.27% compared with the same period last year—three times the national average.
“This growth is not happening by chance. It is the result of a strategy that combines international promotion, expanded air connectivity and the promotion of Brazil’s diverse tourism experiences,” Reis said.
A paradise now closer and better connected
Brazil’s Northeast is often regarded as the cradle of the nation, as it was the region where European colonisation began in the 16th century. It attracts foreign visitors with stunning scenery and experiences that blend history, religion, gastronomy, and culture, including popular celebrations such as the São João festival and Carnival.
The region boasts more than 3,300 kilometres of coastline and iconic destinations such as the Fernando de Noronha archipelago and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, both recognised by UNESCO as Natural World Heritage sites.
However, reaching these destinations often required long journeys involving multiple flights.
That is why the increase from 18 international routes in 2023 to 42 in 2026 has been crucial in attracting more visitors. According to Embratur, the number of flights rose by 121.81% during that period, reaching 5,390.
New gateways to Brazil’s Northeast
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, new routes were launched linking Panama City and Salvador, Madrid and Fortaleza, and Montevideo and Natal.
In May, flights between Praia, Cape Verde, and Recife resumed, while a Lisbon–São Luís route is scheduled to begin operating in October.
Marina Marinho, president of the National Forum of State Tourism Secretaries and Directors (Fornatur), told EFE that these figures demonstrate that airlines “are seeing strong demand” in the tourism market and that the region can sustain increased connectivity over the coming years.
Currently, seven of the region’s nine state capitals offer direct connections to cities including Lisbon, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Paris, Montevideo, Santiago de Chile and Miami.
Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife, the region’s main gateways, are also emerging among the five leading international entry points to Brazil.
For South American visitors, between January and April 2026, Salvador ranked fourth nationally in terms of arrivals, followed by Recife and Natal.
From neglect to integration
Marinho also highlighted that the geographic proximity of the northeastern capitals “has greatly contributed to strengthening and developing tourism at a regional level,” enabling visitors to explore several states within a single trip.
The tourism secretary of the state of Rio Grande do Norte added that local authorities are increasingly focusing on regional integration to promote socioeconomic development through tourism.
“It is a region that was overlooked for a long time, but which has begun to develop its strengths and wealth in an integrated way while respecting the unique characteristics of each state,” she concluded. EFE