Report places Rio as the most sought-after destination for the holidays

Rio leads international travel searches for the holiday season. This is what Google Flights data released by the U.S. magazine shows Travel + Leisure, one of the most influential in the tourism sector. The survey considers the period between 21 December and 4 January 2026 and highlights the capital of Rio de Janeiro as the main destination for those who intend to celebrate Christmas and the Réveillon outside the country.

The increase in demand for Rio is directly related to the expansion of the international air network. In 2024, the city received 13,158 flights from abroad, totaling 2,937,371 seats. From January to August this year, 5,833 international flights have been counted, with 1,276,095 seats available, which reinforces the resumption of the global tourist flow.

Argentina continues as the main issuing market, accounting for 26.5% of the ticket reservations, followed by the United States (11.9%) and Portugal (9.9%). The study also shows significant growth in demand from other European countries, such as Portugal, with a 68.1% increase, and Italy, with a 64.1% increase.

According to the publication, “the December holiday season is a popular time for international travel.” The website also highlights that “famous for its beaches, Rio is known for the sunny sky throughout December”, one of the factors that makes the city especially attractive.

The recognition consolidates Rio as one of the most desired destinations on the planet for the year-end celebrations and reinforces Brazil's presence on the radar of world tourism.

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