In the first quarter of the year, Brazil received a record 3.7 million international tourists

With Argentines in first place, between January and March alone, the neighboring country received more than half of the foreign tourists it would receive during the entire year of 2024. In March, the flow of Argentines to Brazil increased 76% compared to the same period last year.

Brazil recorded a record number of international tourists during the first quarter of the year, with 3,739,649 arrivals, almost 50% more than during the same period in 2024. In March alone, the South American country received a total of 929,096 tourists from abroad, a 25.5% increase compared to March of the previous year. The data was provided by the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Brazilian International Tourism Promotion Agency, Embratur, and the Federal Police.

The state of São Paulo—the country's main air access point, along with Rio de Janeiro and Brasília—was the largest gateway for international tourists in March, with 277,266 arrivals, followed by Rio de Janeiro, with 241,812 arrivals. The state of Rio Grande do Sul stood out with 168,507 international visitors, and in the northeast of the country, the state of Bahia led the way with 17,583 foreign tourists arriving during the third month of 2025.

Argentina continues to be the country that sends the most tourists to Brazil, with 395,149 visitors in March, a 76.72% increase compared to the same month in 2024. There was also a jump in the influx of European tourists, with an 88% increase in visitors from France, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain to destinations other than Brazil in the first quarter of the year.

For Embratur President Marcelo Freixo, the strong performance of tourism was driven by international promotional efforts and the strengthening of tourism infrastructure. "The growth rate in the arrival of foreign visitors exceeds all expectations, and the record volume of international visitors translates into direct benefits for our economy, with the growth of the tourism market and the generation of jobs and income for Brazilians," Freixo said. For Tourism Minister Celso Sabino, the progress is a reflection of the collaborative work between the government, the private sector, and international partners. "Our goal is to continue at this pace and consolidate the country as one of the world's leading tourist destinations," the Tourism Minister concluded.

The National Tourism Plan (PNT)—established by the Brazilian government—aims to position Brazil as the most visited destination in South America, with 8.1 million international tourists by 2027. Among the PNT's initiatives is the Climate Adaptation Plan for Tourism, which reinforces commitments to the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Last year, the Brazilian government launched the International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI), which provides for cooperation with private companies to increase the country's international air connectivity and create half a million new airline seats on routes to Brazil. In 2024, Brazil welcomed a total of 6.65 billion international tourists, a 12.6% increase compared to 2023. This number of foreign tourists generated $7.3 billion in revenue for the tourism sector last year, an economic sector that represents 8% of the GDP of South America's largest country.