Rio de Janeiro Sees Record Surge in International Tourism for 2025

Rio de Janeiro has experienced an unprecedented increase in international tourists in 2025, welcoming nearly 1.8 million visitors from January to October, surpassing the entire 2024 total of 1.5 million. October alone witnessed 164,593 international tourists, marking a 25.6% rise compared to the previous year. This surge is largely credited to strategic international promotion efforts and the revitalization of the RioGaleão International Airport, enhancing its role as a global air travel hub.

Argentina remains the largest source of tourists, contributing 648,911 visitors, followed by Chile with 303,341, the United States with 174,163, Uruguay with 85,948, and France with 70,916. The city’s tourism boom extends beyond the metropolitan area, benefiting local businesses across the state, supported by over 20 gastronomic events aimed at promoting regional tourism in 2025.

Economic impacts are significant; during the summer of 2025, tourism-related activities generated R$142.6 million in tax revenue—a 17.7% increase from the previous year—and attracted 5 million visitors, including 918,500 international tourists. Beach-related activities alone contribute approximately R$5.1 billion annually to Rio’s economy. Looking ahead, the city expects to surpass 2 million international visitors by December 2025 and projects even stronger numbers in 2026, with tourism tax revenues forecasted at R$164.3 million for the summer period.

According to Gustavo Tutuca, Secretary of State for Tourism, the continuous investments and planning since 2021 have fueled these gains and set the stage for record-breaking growth not only in visitor numbers but in economic returns for Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding regions.

As Rio’s tourism landscape thrives, this boom underscores the city’s growing appeal on the international stage and its expanding economic vitality tied to the tourism sector.