Fresh data released on 8 February 2026 show that Brazil welcomed 9.29 million foreign visitors in 2025—an eye-catching 37 % jump on the previous year and the highest figure since records began in 1970. The numbers, compiled by Embratur and published by Travel and Tour World, push Brazil ahead of tourism heavyweights such as Egypt and Morocco and cap a banner year in which travel-related revenue hit R$ 185 billion.
Three source markets did the heavy lifting: Argentina supplied 2.4 million visitors, Chile 1.1 million and the United States just over one million. Analysts credit a bigger international air network—up 16 % in seat capacity—as well as a data-driven marketing strategy that targeted diaspora communities and promoted second-tier destinations. São Paulo and Rio remained gateways, but regional airports in the Northeast logged double-digit growth as airlines like LATAM and Azul added seasonal routes to Recife, Fortaleza and Salvador.
Yet challenges remain. Industry groups caution that Brazil still ranks 57th on the World Economic Forum’s visa-openness index and that airport-rail links lag behind competitors. Even so, consultants at Deloitte project another 11 % rise in arrivals for 2026, assuming exchange-rate stability and no major health shocks. For multinationals eyeing Latin America’s biggest economy, the takeaway is clear: plan for fuller flights, busier airports and bigger audiences.