São Paulo, Sep 24 (EFE) – Brazil is breaking tourism records this year, fueled largely by a 66% surge in Latin American arrivals, which are reshaping the country’s international travel market.
Between January and June, 3.8 million Latin Americans visited Brazil, up from 2.3 million during the same period in 2024, according to official data. By June, Brazil had welcomed 5.3 million foreign tourists overall, a 48.2% increase, underscoring the region’s importance.
Argentina led the way with 2.3 million visitors, followed by nearly 443,000 Chileans. Embratur, Brazil’s tourism promotion agency, called it the country’s largest half-year growth since 2019, confirming Brazil as a “priority destination among its neighbors.”
Central America and Caribbean arrivals rising
Travelers from Central America and the Caribbean also contributed to the boom, with arrivals climbing 43%, driven by Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Panama.
Mexico added 53,128 tourists, a 17% year-over-year increase, further diversifying Brazil’s visitor base.
Gateways and top destinations
The southern states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, along with São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, remain the main entry points for international travelers.
Embratur is also promoting destinations beyond the big hubs, including:
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Muro Alto in Pernambuco
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Praia do Forte in Bahia
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Búzios in Rio de Janeiro
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Florianópolis and Gramado in the south
These destinations highlight Brazil’s mix of beaches, gastronomy, ecotourism, culture, and luxury experiences.
Expanding air connectivity
Air links are another driver of growth. Brazil’s flight network expanded 16% in 2025, after an 18% increase in 2024.
Currently, 20 airlines operate direct routes between 25 Latin American airports and 19 Brazilian cities.
For 2025, 24,288 direct flights are scheduled, offering 4.7 million seats, strengthening both tourism and business ties.
Regional cooperation
Brazil is also advancing through strategic alliances:
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With Colombia, Embratur signed a memorandum of understanding with ProColombia to boost two-way tourism.
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With Chile, a joint agenda links governments, airlines, and the private sector to expand routes.
Co-branded campaigns, including metro promotions in Santiago with Latam Airlines, have raised Brazil’s profile in key markets.
Showcasing Brazil abroad
Another strategy is Brazil’s strong presence at regional tourism events.
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At the 2025 ANATO Tourism Showcase in Colombia, Brazil was guest of honor.
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At FIEXPO 2025 in Costa Rica, Brazil promoted its MICE potential (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
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At Remote Immersion 2025 in Guatemala and the Emotions Travel Show 2025 in Peru, Brazil was positioned as a leader in luxury, sustainability, and ecotourism.
Brazil’s record-breaking tourism growth confirms the country’s position as a competitive, sustainable, and desirable destination in Latin America and beyond. EFE
This article was published with the support of Embratur.