2023 continues to be a historic year for tourism in Brazil, as the latest figures for August confirm. In this month, spending by international visitors set yet another record and air traffic saw its busiest August ever.
Foreign spending highest on record
According to the latest data from the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, spending by international tourists in Brazil reached R$3.22 billion in August. The figure is the highest in the last 25 years.
In addition, foreign spending is now well ahead of pre-pandemic spending. Between January and August, it reached R$22.2 billion, 7.6% more than the same period in 2019.
For the authorities, the figures demonstrate the increasing appeal of Brazil on the global travel scene. “Foreigners are rushing back to Brazil,” said Celso Sabino, Minister for Tourism in Brazil. “The numbers show not just the strength of our country as a tourist destination, but foreigners’ confidence in it.”
Foreign visitors continue to increase
International arrivals are also setting records this year. Over 4 million foreign tourists visited Brazil in the first eight months of this year, over double the number in 2022. The forecast for 2023 currently stands at 6.7 million, a third more than 2022.
Staycation tourism in Brazil
While foreign visitor figures continue to rise, staycations remain the stalwart of tourism in Brazil. Air traffic is a clear indication of this phenomenon. For example, August registered a record number of air passengers and 2023 is on track to be the busiest ever.
According to Brazilian Civil Aviation (ANAC), over 8.2 passengers travelled around Brazil by air during August, the highest since records began in 2000. More significantly, the figure is 4.34% higher than in August 2019 and well ahead (14.1%) of passenger traffic in 2022. Some 60.5 million people flew within Brazil in the first eight months of this year.
Busiest airports
Sao Paulo airports were the busiest in August, with Guarulhos and Congonhas registering the most passengers. Together with Brasilia, these airports accounted for over a third of flight passengers in Brazil.
Domestic flights took the lion’s share, underlining the strength of staycations within tourism in Brazil. “Tourism has the potential to contribute even more to Brazil’s economy, generating wealth, income and jobs,” said Sabino.
Tourism activity soars
As a result of the increases in visitors, tourism activity continues to grow this year, with the latest statistics showing a 7.8% increase compared to 2022. Some states, such as Ceará in Northeast Brazil, are experiencing an even higher uptick.
For example, the Ceará tourist industry saw a 13.3% rise in the year to June. In addition, it has grown by over 10% in the last four years, well ahead of the 3% national growth.
(Source: Brazilian Ministry of Tourism)
