In another strategic move to strengthen Brazil's position as a leading global destination, the federal government announced a historic investment of USD $10.6 million in its International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI) for 2025. The initiative is expected to generate at least 500,000 new international seats in the coming seasons.
The program will be implemented in phases over the next year, starting in late January with a call for proposals focused on scheduled international flights to unserved regions such as Brazil’s northeast, a region that boasts idyllic beaches, a vibrant culture and exquisite cuisine.
The call for charter flights will be launched in March, followed by sub-regional domestic flights in the second half of the year. The incentivized flights will significantly improve Brazil's air connectivity starting in the summer of 2025, according to IATA.
Marcelo Freixo, president of the Brazilian Tourism Agency (Visit Brasil/Embratur), highlighted the program as a step forward from the pilot project implemented in 2024. "Regionalizing our actions for each region of Brazil seems to me to be the right approach, since different regions face different challenges. I want to see the Northeast competing head-to-head with the Caribbean, and to achieve this, we need to integrate regional promotion. This is an important step to generate employment, income and development for society," he said.
He stressed that the initiative stems from collaboration within the Brazilian federal government. The program is a joint effort by Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Ports and Airports. "We have been working together since the first week. What we are delivering today is the result of that collaboration. From an initial investment of USD $0.8 million in IATA Winter 2024/25, to more than USD $10 million, with equal or greater investments from airlines and airports, we are on the right track," Freixo added.
Public-private partnerships and ambitious goals
As part of the National Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), PATI strengthens public-private partnerships with airlines and airports, expanding Brazil's international flight network. According to Minister Silvio Costa Filho, this is the first time that Brazil has implemented a comprehensive program to attract international flights. "The government's goal is to strengthen international tourism in Brazil, boost our economy and create opportunities," he said.
The Northeast is a major focus of the program. Minister Costa Filho highlighted a 38% increase in the number of international tourists to the region in 2024 compared to 2023 and noted its potential for continued growth. "Four of the ten most sought-after cities in Brazil are in the Northeast, demonstrating the region's potential as a tourist destination for foreigners," he added.
Economic impact and record growth
Freixo also highlighted the historic milestones reached in 2024 and the importance of PATI to drive further growth. "We are in an exceptional moment. We will break records in the inflow of foreign currency, which generates jobs and income, and the number of international tourists is expected to exceed the 6.4 million recorded in 2014, the year of the World Cup," he said.
The PATI pilot edition has already yielded impressive results:
Accelerated the all-time record of 7.48 million international seats for the 2024/25 summer season, marking an increase of 1.2 million seats compared to the previous season.
+20% growth in international ticket issuance from foreign markets.
160,000 of the new seats requested resources from the PATI-Pilot program.
An economic return of ÙSD $4.72 for every USD $0.20 invested.
Two startup projects accelerated through a competition that aims to improve the experience of foreign tourists at Brazilian airports.
The program represents a unique opportunity to expand Brazil's air connectivity and enhance its position as a top international destination. This initiative reflects the federal government's commitment to tourism development while paving the way for Brazil's sustainable growth and global integration.
Tourism Minister Celso Sabino described the program as "historic." "I have no doubt that we are making history with programs like PATI and others from the federal government. With the support of state governments, we are transforming the country's economy. I want to acknowledge all those involved, especially Marcelo Freixo, whom I applaud for the success of international tourism and the effective promotion of Brazil abroad," Sabino said.
Fátima Bezerra, governor of Rio Grande do Norte, one of the states in the Northeast of Brazil, welcomed the launch. "PATI was an idea that was born within Embratur together with Marcelo Freixo. It prospered thanks to the sensitivity of Minister Silvio Costa Filho and Minister Celso Sabino. I am very happy to be here today with the federal government to launch this important initiative to boost foreign tourism to our country, especially to our Northeast," said Bezerra.
Source: Embratur.