UK tourists to Brazil hit record levels in first quarter

Brazil attracted a record number of UK travellers in the first quarter of the year as part of a 23% rise in European arrivals.

Numbers from the UK grew by almost 16% year on year to 73,304 as part of a total of 632,300 from across Europe.

The upswing reflects growing interest in destinations that combine urban life, beaches, nature and culture such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Bahia and Ceara, according to the Brazil tourist office, Embratur.

The country received 220,500 visitors from Europe in March alone, a 32.56% increase and a new record for the month.

The rise in total foreign visitors to 3.74 million between January and March also “highlights the effectiveness of Brazil’s international promotion efforts and the increasing competitiveness of the country’s destinations in the global travel environment”.

New Embratur president Bruno Reis said: “Brazilian international tourism is showing its strength and resilience, even in the face of instability in the global geopolitical context.

“We have repositioned the country in the global market, and this has led to the historic results of 2025 and this consolidation movement with the best first quarter in history in 2026.

“Sustaining this growth and expanding our competitiveness also means keeping this large productive chain that generates revenue, employment, and income for the country thriving.

“Travelling to Brazil is an opportunity to connect with a vibrant culture, with nature, a rich and diverse gastronomy, and with the unique hospitality of the Brazilian people.”