Brazil ranks fourth in international tourism growth, says OECD
Brazil recorded the fourth-fastest growth in international tourist arrivals from 2019 to 2025, according to the report Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). During this period, the number of foreign visitors increased by 46 percent, rising from 6.3 million to 9.3 million arrivals. The survey compares countries’ performance in…
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that Brazil experienced the fourth-highest growth in international tourism arrivals from 2019 to 2025. Foreign visitor numbers surged by 46 percent, rising from 6.3 million to 9.3 million during this period. The survey compared countries' performance in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with results from 2025, showcasing the pace of recovery and growth in international tourism.
Notably, Brazil ranked 8th among the top-performing countries in the OECD's open data ranking. Among major international tourism destinations, Brazil outpaced Japan (34% growth), Portugal (20%), Spain (16%), and France (12%). In South America, while Brazil's tourist arrivals increased, Argentina (-23%) and Peru (-22%) experienced declines.
The OECD emphasized that international tourism is recovering post-pandemic, fueled by heightened travel demand, restored connectivity, and increased investment in the sector. Tourism continues to boost economies, generate jobs, and foster regional development in the analyzed countries. Brazil's tourism authority, Embratur, confirmed this trend, reporting that the first six months of 2026 saw 5.2 million international tourists visiting Brazil, the second-highest figure for a first half-year.
These visitors contributed USD 5.6 billion to the Brazilian economy, a 12 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth is attributed to expanded promotional efforts abroad, including participation in international trade shows, press trips, familiarization trips for tour operators, and promotional campaigns in strategic markets.
Written by urgent.news from Agencia Brasil's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
