Brazil: International Tourism Revenue Hits Record US$8.3 Billion in First Nine Months as Chinese Arrivals Jump 78%
International tourism generated US$8.3 billion in revenue for Brazil between January and September 2026, the highest figure ever recorded for the period, according to data released by Brazilian authorities on October 27. Chinese visitors were among the standout markets, with arrivals up 78% year on year over the nine months.
The Brazilian Tourist Board (Embratur), citing Central Bank data, said revenue grew 9.1% from US$7.6 billion in the same period of 2025. September alone set a record, with foreign visitors spending US$904.7 million, up 8.33% from US$835 million in September last year, across lodging, food, transport, commerce and tourism services.
Brazil received more than 7 million foreign arrivals in the nine months, the second-highest total for the period, while air arrivals reached a record 4.9 million, up more than 9.7%. Of the 23 strategic markets tracked under the Plano Brasis international marketing plan for 2025–2027, 20 grew. China led the gains with arrivals up 78% over the nine months and up 106% in September alone, when 22,496 Chinese visitors arrived. Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Canada rose 25.5%, 22.8%, 16.6% and 13.5% respectively, each recording its best-ever result.
Regionally, the Northeast grew 27.1%, the fastest of any region, while the Southeast rose 7.7%. Eleven of Brazil's federal units set records for international arrivals over the nine months.
Embratur president Bruno Reis said the US$8.3 billion flows into Brazil's economy and moves a chain running from hotels and restaurants to tours and commerce, adding that average tourist spending has risen as the board diversifies source markets through the Plano Brasis plan.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：里约热内卢基督像，巴西最具代表性的旅游地标。照片：Donatas Dabravolskas，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Donatas Dabravolskas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
