Rio de Janeiro reached the mark of almost 1.8 million international tourists from January to October 2025. The number is greater than the entire flow recorded in 2024, when 1.5 million tourists from other countries visited the region. 
In comparison with the first eight months of 2024, the data reveals an increase of 48.8% this year. At the current pace, the state should break another record in December: surpassing the unprecedented mark of 2 million foreign visitors.
In October alone, there were 164,593 international tourists, an increase of 25.6% compared to the same month of the previous year.
Argentina remains the main country of origin, with 648,911 visitors, followed by Chile (303,341), the United States (174,163), Uruguay (85,948) and France (70,916).
For the Secretary of State for Tourism, Gustavo Tutuca, the performance is a direct result of the international promotion policy and the resumption of RioGaleão International Airport.
“Reaching 1.8 million international tourists is proof that Rio has once again occupied its prominent place on the world stage. This progress is the result of consistent promotional work, with presence at the main global fairs and actions in strategic markets.”
Also according to the secretary, the reactivation of RioGaleão, which once again gained prominence in the international air network, contributed “fundamentally” to the increase in the flow of tourists.
In addition to the municipality of Rio, foreign visitors have taken the opportunity to get to know the interior of the state, boosting inns, restaurants, producers and local commerce.
International tourism has also contributed to the development of regional economies, expanding opportunities throughout Rio de Janeiro.
International promotion
The record achieved is the result of international promotion policies. In 2025, the State Department of Tourism supported more than 20 gastronomic events in different regions, reinforcing the commitment to the internalization of tourist activity and the strengthening of local flavor circuits.
The calendar includes major events, such as Rio Gastronomia, as well as festivals in municipalities such as Petrópolis, Cabo Frio, Búzios, Teresópolis, Volta Redonda, Miguel Pereira, Santa Maria Madalena, Visconde de Mauá and Penedo, among others.
hot summer
Rio de Janeiro City Hall projects an even hotter summer of 2026 for the city’s economy. This year’s numbers reinforce the strength of tourism and economic activities linked to leisure, culture and beaches in Rio.
From December 21, 2024 to March 20, 2025, Rio collected R$142.6 million in taxes (ISS) from tourism and events, a real growth of 17.7% compared to the previous summer.
If this pace is maintained, revenue in the summer of 2026 could reach R$164.3 million in taxes.
The tourist movement also showed significant results. During the summer of 2025, the city received 5 million visitors, 918.5 thousand foreigners and 4.1 million Brazilians – an increase of 14.2% compared to the same period of the previous year.
The arrival of international tourists grew 35.6%, while the national public increased 10.3%, according to the Tourism Observatory of the Municipal Tourism Secretariat.
If the trend repeats itself, the summer of 2026 should receive 5.7 million tourists, with 1.2 million international visitors and 4.5 million national visitors.
“After a year of uninterrupted growth in Rio tourism, we are preparing to welcome what we hope to be the city’s biggest summer. In addition to New Year’s Eve and Carnival, we also hope to grow through our natural routes, such as our beaches, trails and peaks”, said the president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows.
Beaches
In addition to the direct impact on tourism, Rio’s beaches continue to be an important economic driver. According to the Rio Beach Economy study, carried out by the Municipal Secretariat for Economic Development, commercial activities carried out on the sands of Rio’s beaches generate, in current values, around R$5.1 billion per year, value that does not include kiosks and restaurants on the waterfront.
The estimate considers the number of street vendors, stallholders, customers and average daily expenses.
“The numbers show that Rio is increasingly prepared to welcome and generate opportunities. The expectation for 2026 is for a new leap in revenue and tourism, with a direct impact on the economy and job creation”, explained the municipal secretary of Economic Development, Osmar Lima.
With these indicators, Rio de Janeiro consolidates itself as one of the main tourist destinations in the Southern Hemisphere and is preparing for a summer of 2026 that promises to break new records for visitors, income and opportunities.
“These results make us confident that we are on the right path. All of this is the result of what has been invested and planned for tourism in Rio de Janeiro since 2021, and looking to the future” said the city’s municipal secretary of Tourism, Daniela Maia.
