Brazil celebrated the entry of six million foreign tourists during 2013 when, Nadia Panis, an Argentine tourist that broke the record, arrived on Thursday December 5th at Antônio Carlos Jobim (Galeão) International Airport in Rio de Janeiro and was greeted with festivities hosted by the president of Embratur, Flávio Dino.

Having achieved this historic milestone, Embratur is now working towards reaching a new goal for the number of foreign tourists visiting Brazil next year.

Hoping to hit seven million in 2014 events such as the World Cup will help to set the new record, as some 600,000 foreigners are expected to visit Brazil during the World Cup period in 2014.

“Embratur’s objective is to increase the number of tourists arriving next year to seven million, generating more jobs and income for Brazilians”, said Dino.

Dino also stated that tourism in Brazil had grown by five per cent in 2012, exceeding worldwide growth of three per cent.

He added the number of foreign tourists will reach ten million by 2017.

Currently, tourism employs around ten million Brazilians and generates 3.6 per cent of GDP.

The celebrations in Galeão also included a photographic display of the country’s main tourist destinations as well as musicians greeting the six millionth tourist.

The Rio de Janeiro State Tourism Board also offered the Argentine tourist a stay in Búzios.