Brazil sees surge in international tourism through August 2026

Brazil received 6,451,257 international tourists between January and August 2026, according to data from Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Federal Police. August alone saw 576,276 arrivals, surpassing the previous historical record for that month.

Argentina remains the primary source market with 2,244,297 visitors, followed by Chile (547,601) and the United States (514,128). A significant surge was noted from China, which saw 113,228 visitors during the same eight-month period. This represents a 73.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and has already exceeded the total number of Chinese tourists recorded for the entire year of 2025.

Officials attribute the growth in Chinese tourism to the implementation of a visa exemption policy that began in May 2026. Bruno Reis, President of Embratur, stated that the growth positions Brazil as an attractive hub for new service sector investments and validates the country's international promotion strategies.