Foreign tourists bring USD 7.3 billion to Brazil, largest amount in 15 years

Brazilian tourism revenue has reached a record of USD 7.341 billion in 2024, bolstered by foreign tourist spending. Compared to Brazil's trade balance, this result exceeded important export products such as cotton, which generated  USD 5.2 billion, and copper ore and its concentrates, with USD 4.2 billion. This is the largest amount recorded in 15 years, even exceeding the 2014 FIFA World Cup period, when foreign tourists spent USD 6.914 billion.

According to data from Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), the amount represents a 6.28% growth compared to the previous year, when the tourism sector raised USD 6.907 billion. This expressive increase is directly linked to the rise in the number of international visitors, which reached 6.65 million in 2024, a 12.6% growth compared to 2023.

The Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, celebrated the result. "The flow of foreign visitors into Brazil not only stirs our economy but also reaffirms the strength and beauty of our country as a desired destination in the global scenario. These resources reflect the tourism sector's potential to generate jobs, strengthen communities, and foster development. We are ready to welcome the world with open arms, with the hospitality that only Bazil knows how to offer,” stated the minister.

This result brings Brazil closer to the goals established by the 2024-2027 National Tourism Plan (Plano Nacional de Turismo/PNT), which foresees reaching a total of 8.1 million foreign tourists and a USD 8.1 billion revenue in the next three years.

“We are committed to exceeding these goals each year and attracting these visitors to meet Brazil's beauties. With the positive results from this year, we are confident that we will meet this objective,” highlighted the minister.

The monthly result from December 2024 shows that foreign tourists left a total of   USD 721 million in the country, 16% more than in the same period of the previous year, when USD 622 million were injected in the national economy through tourism-generated revenues. 

TAX FREE – On Thursday, January 16, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Complementary Bill of Law (Projeto de Lei Complementar) that includes the “Tax Free” program in the tax reform. This program was designed to allow reimbursement of taxes to foreign tourists, offering them an additional incentive to visit Brazil. The measure seeks to stimulate tourism, strengthening the local economy, and generating more jobs and income in the country.

Celso Sabino celebrated the achievement. “Brazil, the Federal Government, and Congress have taken a large step to bolster the growth of national tourism.

Offering the Tax Free program for international visitors in Brazil means strengthening the competitiveness of our destinations. This represents increased revenues entering our economy, expanding the generation of income and jobs,” he stated.