Brazil received more than twice as many foreign tourists in 2021

The number of foreigners who entered Brazil with tourist visas until August this year was more than double the total for 2021. There were more than 1.6 million tourists from other countries in Brazilian territory in the period, against less than 600 thousand in the sum of the twelve months of last year – an increase of 169%.

In total, 1,604,468 foreigners entered the country on tourist visas from January to August 2022, according to data from the Brazilian Agency for the International Promotion of Tourism (Embratur) to which the CNN had access. Last year, there were 596,745 tourists from other countries in Brazilian territory.

Compared to the same period last year, the increase is 592%. From January to August 2021, Brazil received 231,793 foreign tourists.

In the wake of this rise, spending in the country is also more expressive. From January to May 2022, foreign tourists left approximately US$2 billion in Brazil, according to the most recent data from the Central Bank. The value is close to double the same period in 2021: US$ 1,052 billion.

Optimism for the sector

The number is seen as a relief for the tourism sector, after a period of sharp decline caused by restrictions on movement and entry into the country during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Another piece of information that is filling the eyes of the sector is the resumption of demand for international flights. According to Embratur, until August of this year the planes are flying at approximately 81% of capacity – which had not happened since 2019, before the pandemic.

Embratur’s forecast is that international flights will be operating at 100% capacity by the end of this year. The Brazilian agency also predicts that by February 2023 another 195 flights will be created to Brazil – including new routes and additional frequencies of existing ones -, including the arrival of new airlines.

The hotel chain is also optimistic and is preparing to receive the largest number of foreign tourists. According to Embratur, 124 hotels are currently being built, more than 18 thousand new rooms, in 93 Brazilian cities. It is estimated that around R$ 5.3 billion will be invested in these works by 2026.