Brazil tourism sector hits record R$ 143.1 billion in first half of 2026

The Brazilian tourism sector achieved record-breaking results in the first half of 2026. According to data from FecomercioSP and IBGE, national tourism revenue reached R$ 143.1 billion, marking the highest performance for this period since 2011, a 3.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Bahia emerged as a major driver of this growth. The state's tourism-related sectors recorded a historic revenue of R$ 4.7 billion between January and June 2026, representing an 8.9% increase over the previous year. In June alone, Bahia saw a 16% surge in revenue, significantly outpacing the national average growth of 1.7% for the month.

Key segments contributing to the national rise include air passenger transport (up 5.7%) and food services (up 5.6%). Despite the overall positive trend, some sectors faced challenges, such as a slight decline in water transport and a deceleration in growth during June, partly attributed to the impact of the World Cup on travel patterns.