More international tourists arrived in Brazil in the first half of 2026, driven by growth in air travel. Arrivals through airports rose 13.3% to 3,531,233 visitors, the highest figure ever recorded for the period. Air travel accounted for 67% of all international arrivals received by the country between January and June. The data were released by Visit Brasil/Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Police.

Across all ports of entry, Brazil recorded 5,261,733 international tourists in the first six months of the year, the second-highest result on record for the period. In June, the country registered 442,048 arrivals. Airports alone received 360,496 visitors, up 1% from the same month in 2025.

“The increase in air arrivals reflects the expansion of Brazil’s international connectivity. More flights and a broader presence in key source markets are bringing the country closer to travellers from Latin America, Europe and other regions, while also creating more opportunities for visitors to travel across Brazil”, said Visit Brasil/Embratur President Bruno Reis.

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES LEAD ARRIVALS
Air arrivals from South America rose 13.82% between January and June, reaching 1,901,215 visitors and accounting for more than half of all international passenger traffic through Brazilian airports. Argentina, the region’s largest source market, grew by 15.90%, with 1,008,022 tourists visiting Brazil during the period.

Colombia and Peru recorded the strongest proportional growth. Arrivals from Colombia increased by 33.45%, while the Peruvian market grew by 20.87%. Chile posted a 6.46% rise. All four countries achieved their highest-ever results for the first six months of the year.

LONG-HAUL MARKETS DRIVE FURTHER GROWTH
Among long-haul markets, Asia recorded the strongest proportional increase. Visitor numbers from the region rose 18.83% between January and June to 192,589, the highest figure ever recorded for the period. China led this growth, with arrivals in Brazil increasing by 55.12%.

Arrivals from Europe grew by 16.23%, reaching their highest first-half volume since 2006. Portugal, the continent’s leading source market, increased by 26.53%. Growth was also recorded from Spain, up 21.73%; Germany, up 17.10%; the United Kingdom, up 11.29%, from 97,143 British tourists for the same period in 2025 comparing to 108,109 British tourists from January - June 2026; and France, up 6.35%.

Arrivals from North America increased by 1.76%. Mexico stood out among the region’s markets, with growth of 28.97%.