Let me be direct: what's happening in Brazil right now is anything but insignificant for tourism professionals. With over 2.6 million international visitors in just two months, the country is off to a historic start in 2026. And above all, it's sending a very clear signal to the European market, and therefore to French travel agencies: Brazil is once again becoming a top destination.
Summary
Brazil is breaking records and captivating Europeans
According to specialized press reports and data from Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Federal Police, Brazil welcomed more than 2.6 million international tourists between January and February 2026, including 1,287,800 in February alone. This is the second-best result ever recorded for this period.
But what strikes me most is the European momentum. The country has seen an 18.55% increase in arrivals from Europe, with 411,804 visitors in the first two months of the year. This is the best result in the last 20 years.
Marcelo Freixo , president of Embratur, sums it up clearly: “The figures show that Brazil is following the global trend in 2026 and playing a leading role on the international stage, with great potential for new business and growth this year. The significant increase in visitors from European countries reflects the effectiveness of our international promotion strategies…”
Another key point: France confirms its role as a strategic market with 63,257 visitors (+8.64%), making it one of the main European sources of visitors to Brazil.
Why Brazil is once again becoming a strategic destination
Brazil's strong comeback is no accident. Several key factors explain this growth.
First, the diversification of source markets. Brazil is attracting more European visitors, reducing its dependence on certain historical markets.
Next, air connectivity. According to official data, it has increased by 35% in three years, a key lever to support demand.
The development of new long-haul routes also plays an important role, with the opening or strengthening of lines to Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam or New York by companies like Gol and Latam.
Another key element is the improvement of the product offering. The return of solutions like the Azul Brazil Airpass facilitates multi-destination itineraries, while the hotel offering is moving upmarket, particularly in Rio de Janeiro.
Finally, the public-private strategy, particularly through the PATI program, allows for better coordination between promotion and connectivity.
The main European markets towards Brazil
🇧🇷 Tourism in Brazil: The European Boom
Ranking of arrivals by country
Questions that tourism professionals are asking
Is Brazil truly experiencing a sustainable recovery?
Yes, the indicators show solid growth driven by connectivity and international promotion.
Why does France perform so well?
The French market benefits from good air accessibility and a historical appeal for the destination.
Should we relaunch Brazil through agencies?
Yes, particularly in the premium, circuit and combined segments.
What products should we offer?
Multi-destination tours, Rio + Northeast stays or nature experiences.
Is price still a deterrent?
Less than before, thanks to the increase in air service.
A concrete example to sell right now
A combined Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, and Iguazu Falls package offers a complete experience, blending culture, nature, and adventure. This is exactly the type of product that could see a strong resurgence in 2026.
What I take away for tourism professionals
Brazil surpassed 2.6 million visitors in two months. Europe saw strong growth with an 18.55% increase. France confirmed its role as a key market. Air connectivity increased by 35% in three years. The country is moving upmarket and strengthening its international strategy.
Is Brazil becoming a bestseller again?
Quite honestly, I think so. All the indicators are aligned: accessibility, image, offering, strategy. For agencies, it's clearly the right time to put Brazil back on their business priorities.
➡️ Consult our complete practical guide for Travel to Brazil and prepare tailor-made trips with all the key information: formalities, itineraries, logistics and tools for tourism professionals.
Updates
March 2026: Publication of international tourism figures for Brazil for January-February 2026.
In short
- Brazil will exceed 2.6 million international tourists by early 2026.
- Europe is making strong progress with +18.55% of arrivals.
- France remains a key source market with over 63,000 visitors.
- International air connectivity has increased by 35% in three years.
- New long-haul routes enhance the accessibility of the destination.
- The tourism offering is becoming more upscale, particularly in Rio de Janeiro.
- Brazil is once again becoming a strategic destination for agencies.
Sources
👉 Access all our tourism reports, statistics and analyses on Tourisme Stats .
➡️ Check out our full report on B2B Tourism to discover the key trends, figures and strategies for 2026.
👉 Access Iran war radar . A centralized, continuously updated page to understand exactly how the situation is changing your sales, your customers, and your operations.
➡️ Explore our interactive report Tourism in 2050 and anticipate the major changes in the sector: explosion in volumes, rise of AI and new global balances.
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📘 Also check out our practical pages for tourism professionals .
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