International tourists spent a record R$ 4.8 billion (US$ 932 million) in Brazil during August 2026, marking a 17 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025, according to Central Bank data released on Monday, September 28.
The August figure lifted total foreign tourist expenditure in Brazil to R$ 38.7 billion (US$ 7.4 billion) between January and August 2026. That total represents a 10 percent rise from the R$ 35 billion recorded during the same eight-month period in 2025 and sets a new historical record for the country.
The financial figures were compiled by the Ministry of Tourism using data provided by the Central Bank of Brazil, the nation's central monetary authority based in Brasilia. Foreign currency expenditures originally reported in US dollars were converted into Brazilian reais using exchange rates from Monday.
Tourism Minister Gustavo Feliciano said the figures reflected progress across multiple fronts in the national tourism industry. He stated that growth was supported by an increased presence of foreign visitors, expanded domestic travel, and a warming corporate tourism market.
Feliciano added that the expansion strengthens the entire tourism supply chain, increases income circulation, and creates new opportunities for travel destinations, commercial businesses, and workers across all regions of Brazil.
Record international arrivals
The rise in tourist spending accompanied a sustained growth in visitor arrivals. Brazil welcomed 6,451,257 international tourists during the first eight months of 2026, maintaining the record arrival levels established in the previous year.
In August 2026 alone, 576,276 foreign visitors entered the country. That figure represents the highest number of international arrivals recorded for the month of August since the Central Bank and Ministry of Tourism began the current statistical series in 2009.
Brazil is South America's largest country and biggest economy, drawing international travelers for leisure, major cultural events, and trade conventions. Government agencies track monthly visitor entries alongside international credit and travel transactions to monitor sector performance.
Domestic aviation and corporate travel
Positive performance was also recorded across Brazil's domestic aviation sector. Commercial airlines operating within the country transported more than 68 million passengers during the first eight months of 2026, surpassing that benchmark for the first time in history.
The total passenger volume represents a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Air passenger movement in August 2026 also set a monthly record, with 8.93 million travelers flying on internal routes.
Corporate tourism posted significant financial gains alongside leisure travel. The business travel sector generated R$ 9.75 billion in revenue between January and August 2026, marking the highest revenue total ever recorded for the accumulated eight-month period.
The corporate travel revenue represents an 8.21 percent increase compared to the first eight months of 2025. Ministry of Tourism compilations indicate that gains across international arrivals, domestic flights, and business travel have expanded economic activity across the wider tourism industry.
