Brazil has emerged as the fastest-growing international tourist destination in the world, closing 2025 with a record 9.3 million visitors, a 37.1 percent increase from the previous year’s 6.7 million, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The surge has been driven by new air routes, particularly from Europe, and renewed international interest in the country’s cultural, natural, and gastronomic attractions.

Tourism already contributes 8 percent of Brazil’s GDP, and international travellers brought in around €7.3 billion last year, a significant boost to the economy as the country continues to recover and reposition itself on the global stage.

Europe has played a central role in this growth. Visitors from France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain totalled 1.8 million, a 20 percent rise from 2024. Spain alone accounted for 160,000 tourists, a 92 percent increase over three years, reflecting both growing interest in Brazil and improved air connectivity.

A key factor has been the introduction of new direct flights from Europe. In 2025, Iberia launched routes linking Madrid with Fortaleza in Ceará and Recife in Pernambuco, providing direct access to Brazil’s northeast, a region celebrated for its beaches, culture, and hospitality. These routes complement existing flights from Madrid and Barcelona to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Campinas, reinforcing Lisbon and Porto as major European hubs for Brazilian travel.

São Paulo remains the country’s main entry point, hosting more than 2.7 million international visitors, followed by Rio de Janeiro with nearly 2.2 million and Rio Grande do Sul with 1.5 million.

Marcelo Freixo, president of the Brazilian tourism promotion agency Embratur, said the record numbers reflect years of coordinated efforts in international promotion, infrastructure improvements, and expanded air connections. He highlighted the importance of extending direct access to the northeast, noting that it allows visitors to experience Brazil’s authentic and diverse offerings.

Freixo also linked the tourism rebound to Brazil’s regained international standing under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “Brazil is now a respected country,” he said. “You don’t visit a country that is not respected. People have no interest in visiting a country that is not respected.”

Despite the record growth, security remains a key concern for international travellers. Freixo said Brazil has made notable progress in safety and emphasized that tourism itself contributes to safer cities. According to Embratur, 95 percent of visitors expressed interest in returning. To encourage longer stays and broader exploration, initiatives such as the Brazil Air Pass allow travellers to visit up to eight domestic destinations with a single fare.

Freixo also highlighted the warmth and hospitality of Brazilians as a unique selling point. “Our main export product is not coffee, it’s joy — and we have plenty of that,” he said.

With stronger connectivity, rising international respect, and a wide array of attractions, Brazil is positioning itself as a leading global tourist destination, with Europe, particularly Spain, emerging as a key partner in this new phase.