Brazil welcomed almost six million tourists in 2023

In 2023, Brazil received a number of international tourists at the same levels as in the pre-Covid-19 pandemic period. Over the past 12 months, the country registered the arrival of exactly 5,908,341 visitors from abroad. The number is 3% higher than the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimate for Brazil and 62.7% higher than the accumulated figure for 2022, when the country received 3.6 million tourists. In 2019, there were 6.3 million foreigners entering the country. The data is the result of a partnership between Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board), the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) and the Federal Police (PF).

“We are very close to reaching pre-pandemic numbers and with the set of actions and programmes that the Ministry of Tourism has been establishing in the field of structuring and promoting destinations, we will surpass, in 2024, the number of international tourists in 2019. Even more important is to increase the average ticket and total amount left by foreigners in our country and it is with this focus that we are working,” stated the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino.

The president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, celebrated the result. “Interest in Brazil has returned due to the change of government and the consequent change of direction in our environmental policy, respect for democracy and human rights. We went from enemies of humanity to the best ecotourism destination on the planet. This result means a generation of jobs and income throughout the country, in an economic activity that is only good for Brazil,” said Marcelo.

From January to November 2023, R$ 31 billion (around £5 billion) was injected into the Brazilian economy with international tourism, figures higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Argentina continues to be the main country sending tourists to Brazil, with 1.9 million visitors (32% of the total). The United Kingdom shows up in 9th place with 130,200 tourists (2.2%). 

São Paulo was the state in Brazil that welcomed most tourists in 2023, with 2,107,179 visitors.