STORY-TRÅD·ekonomi

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 2019-before the COVID-19 pandemic-with results recorded in 2025, illustrating the pace of recovery and growth in international tourism. Brazil among top tourism performers Notícias relacionadas:Tourism activities in Brazil up 4.6% in 2025.Brazil ranks 8th in OECD open data ranking.With a 46 percent increase in foreign visitors, Brazil ranked among the top-performing countries during the period analyzed. This performance placed Brazil ahead of major international tourism destinations, such as: • Japan: 34% growth; • Portugal: 20%; • Spain: 16%; • France: 12%. In South America, Brazil also stood out. While tourist arrivals increased in the country, other nations in the region recorded declines during the period: • Argentina: -23%; • Peru: -22%. Global recovery The OECD report highlights that international tourism continues its recovery following the pandemic, driven by increased demand for travel, the restoration of connectivity between countries, and expanded investment in the sector. According to the organization, tourism continues to play an important role in boosting economies, creating jobs, and promoting regional development across the countries analyzed. Trend Brazil’s international tourism authority Embratur noted that results from the first half of 2026 confirm the trend identified in the OECD report. In the first six months of this year, Brazil welcomed 5.2 million international tourists, the second-highest number recorded for a first half of the year. Visitors contributed USD 5.6 billion to the Brazilian economy, a figure 12 percent higher than that recorded in the same period of 2025. Embratur pointed out that this growth also reflects expanded efforts to promote Brazil abroad. Among these initiatives are: • participation in international trade shows; • organization of press trips; • organization of familiarization trips for tour operators and travel agents (famtours); • promotional campaigns in strategic markets.