International tourism in Rio grows in 2025 and moves in the first quarter of 2025

Rio reached a significant milestone in international tourism by receiving 744,071 foreign visitors between January and March 2025. The number represents a growth of 51% in relation to the same period of 2024 and 85% in comparison with 2023, according to a survey by the Prefeitura do Rio with data from the Riotur, the municipal departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Embratur.

The financial movement also impresses. Only in the first quarter, foreign tourists injected US$ 366.5 million into the Rio economy, equivalent to about R$ 2.1 billion. The figure, already adjusted for inflation, is 33% higher than that recorded in the same period last year. The estimate does not include the impact generated by the show of the singer Lady Gaga, held in May, which attracted more than 50,000 international visitors to the city.

The data reinforce the role of Rio as a tourist destination in Latin America, with 20% of all the international flow that reached Brazil in the period. In addition to iconic landscapes and leisure infrastructure, the calendar of major events has been an important competitive differential in attracting travelers from various countries.

Among the main issuing markets, Argentina leads the ranking with 287.688 tourists, followed by Chile (123.003) and the United States (91.360). There was also significant growth in the arrival of visitors from the UK (40%) and Germany (30%), as well as increases of more than 60% in the flow from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States.

International tourism plays a strategic role in generating revenues, jobs and global projection of Rio's image. The first quarter of 2025 consolidates this trend with historical results that drive the local economy and strengthen the position of the city on the world stage.

Check out the official calendar of Rio events