International tourism injected R$ 31,6 billion into the Brazilian economy in 2024, according to a survey.
Data from Fhoresp shows that the tourism sector grew 3,5% this year, with São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia standing out.
247 - A survey conducted by the Research Center of the Federation of Hotels, Restaurants and Bars of the State of São Paulo (Fhoresp) revealed that, in 2024, foreign tourists contributed R$ 31,6 billion to the Brazilian economy, boosting the tourism and services sector. From January to October of last year, the country received 5,4 million visitors from other nations, a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), activities providing services to tourists also registered growth, with a 3,5% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year.
According to Edson Pinto, executive director of Fhoresp, Brazil has consolidated itself as a preferred destination for international tourists due to a combination of factors, such as the strengthening of the tourism industry, the qualified infrastructure to receive visitors, and a calendar full of events, including major international festivals and shows. Furthermore, he highlights that the devaluation of the real, although negative for the national economy, has been an attraction for foreigners. “In a post-Covid-19 pandemic scenario, global tourism is experiencing significant growth. Brazil has consolidated itself as a rising international route, with emphasis on its tropical climate and events such as Carnival,” stated Pinto. He also emphasized that the country is the largest economic hub in Latin America and has great relevance on the global stage.
The influx of foreign tourists has positively impacted various sectors of the Brazilian economy. According to data from the Central Bank (BC), visitors spent R$ 31,6 billion in the country between January and October 2024, an increase of 11,9% compared to the same period in 2023. In dollars, revenue from foreign visitors in the first ten months of the year reached US$ 6 billion, the highest value in the historical series, according to the BC.
Fhoresp, which represents 500 businesses operating in the state of São Paulo, including hotels, restaurants, and bars, highlighted that the amounts of money transacted in reais or dollars boosted sectors such as lodging, transportation, and food services. The latter, according to the Federation's Research Center, was the tourism sub-segment with the best performance in 2024. The real volume of revenue from these services accelerated, with an increase of 5,5% compared to the 4,3% growth observed in 2023.
IBGE also pointed out that, in the accumulated total for 2024, the volume index of tourism activities in Brazil grew by 3,5% compared to 2023. Eleven of the 17 states surveyed registered positive rates in services aimed at visitors, with São Paulo (3,7%), Rio de Janeiro (6,3%), Bahia (8,4%), Minas Gerais (4,5%), Paraná (7,2%) and Santa Catarina (9%) standing out. These numbers reinforce the importance of international tourism for the Brazilian economy and indicate a promising scenario for the coming years.