Brazil is expected to set a new record in international tourist arrivals in the current year, after its inbound numbers jumped up by a hefty 62.7 pc in 2023, says Brazilian Tourism Ministry.

Celso Sabino

In a press statement, the ministry says that the South American nation received over 5.9 million international visitors in 2023, up from the 3.6 million that the country had received in 2022. The 2023 arrival numbers reached 93 pc of pre-pandemic totals and it also exceeded the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s projections for the country by 3 pc, it says.

Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino says that Brazil is now poised to surpass its 2023 tourism success. “We are on the brink of surpassing our 2019 international tourist figures,” Sabino says.

‘‘The Ministry’s destination development and promotion initiatives are aimed at not only increasing visitor numbers but also enhancing the economic impact of tourism in Brazil,” he adds.

According to Embratur, the tourism promotion organisation of Brazil, the United States was one of the leading source markets for Brazil, contributing a record 668,000 visitors or 11 pc of total arrivals in the country. 

Marcelo Freixo

According to the data, Argentina led the list of countries sending the most tourists to Brazil, with 1.9 million visitors, or 32 pc of the total.

‘‘Our efficient strategy in boosting air connectivity by 40 pc and collaborating with both Brazilian and foreign companies has played a crucial role in placing Brazil on the global tourism map,’’ says Marcelo Freixo, President, Embratur.

Embratur identified São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, and Santa Catarina as top Brazilian destinations, with most visitors arriving by air.

Chile with 458,500, Paraguay with 424,500 and Uruguay with 334,700 complete the top five tourist-sending nations. São Paulo recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals, with 2.1 million visitors, while Rio de Janeiro had 1.2 million and Rio Grande do Sul received 1 million international visitors. The main mode of entry was by air, with 3.8 million arrivals, followed by land, with 1.9 million, says Embratur.