Brazil recorded its strongest July tourism revenue since records began in 2012, with holiday demand, cultural events and domestic air travel helping the sector reach R$25.5 billion in July 2026. Bahia posted the fastest state-level growth, while São Paulo remained Brazil’s largest tourism market by total revenue.
The figures provide a positive snapshot of Brazil tourism in 2026, although the results also show that growth is uneven. Accommodation revenue declined nationally and several states recorded weaker performance despite the country’s overall expansion.
Brazil tourism revenue reaches R$25.5 billion in July
Brazil generated R$25.5 billion in tourism revenue during July, according to data compiled by the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo, known as FecomercioSP. The analysis used information from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.
Tourism revenue for the first seven months of 2026 reached R$168.8 billion, representing growth of 3.4% compared with the same period in 2025. The total includes spending across air transport, accommodation, food services, vehicle rentals and other tourism-related activities.
FecomercioSP expects annual tourism revenue to approach R$300 billion in 2026, although that forecast depends on economic conditions and demand during the remaining months of the year.
Bahia records the fastest tourism growth
Bahia was the strongest performer among Brazil’s states in July. Its tourism revenue increased by 18.7% year on year to approximately R$759 million.
The state’s January-to-July revenue reached R$5.4 billion, an increase of 10.2% compared with the same period in 2025. School holidays and the continuing influence of São João celebrations helped support visitor demand, alongside Bahia’s coastal destinations, cultural attractions and inland tourism offering.
Transport figures also pointed to stronger visitor movement across the state:
- Airports handled more than 1.07 million passengers in July, up 6.6%, excluding Porto Seguro because data were unavailable.
- Salvador’s bus terminal recorded approximately 483,000 passengers, an increase of 13%.
- Toll-road traffic exceeded 3.2 million vehicles, rising by 5.2%.
However, higher visitor movement did not translate into stronger hotel occupancy in Salvador. Occupancy fell from 65.2% to 61.7%, underlining the difference between statewide tourism activity and performance in the capital’s accommodation market.
Other Brazilian states also post gains
Tourism growth was recorded beyond Brazil’s biggest economic centres. Between January and July, Roraima’s tourism revenue increased by 8.1%, followed by Amapá at 8%, Alagoas at 7.9% and Rio Grande do Norte at 7.7%.
At the same time, several states experienced declines, including Tocantins, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Ceará, Minas Gerais and Paraná. The regional figures indicate that national growth is being driven by a combination of strong markets and rising demand in selected destinations rather than a uniform improvement across the country.
São Paulo remains Brazil’s largest tourism market
Bahia delivered the fastest percentage increase, but São Paulo continued to lead Brazil in total tourism revenue. The state generated approximately R$7 billion in July.
São Paulo benefits from a large corporate-travel market, extensive transport connections, accommodation capacity and a broad range of visitor services. Its position illustrates why percentage growth and total revenue can tell different stories: a smaller destination may grow more quickly while still generating less money overall than an established economic centre.
Airlines contribute R$8.1 billion to July tourism revenue
Passenger air transport was the largest contributor to Brazil’s tourism revenue in July, generating approximately R$8.1 billion. Domestic flight demand increased by 4%, while passenger numbers rose by 2.4%.
Aviation is particularly important in Brazil because of the country’s geographical size. Flights connect major cities with coastal resorts, cultural destinations and regional tourism centres, supporting leisure travel, business trips and visits to family and friends.
The difference between revenue growth and passenger growth also matters. A rise in tourism income does not necessarily mean that visitor numbers have increased at the same rate, as fares and other travel costs can affect the value of sales.
Hotels and restaurants show mixed results
Accommodation businesses generated approximately R$5.6 billion in July, making hotels and other lodging providers the second-largest tourism revenue category. However, accommodation revenue declined by 1.4% compared with July 2025.
Food services generated R$3.9 billion, while vehicle rentals contributed R$2.9 billion. Together, the figures demonstrate how tourism spending reaches a wide network of businesses, from airlines and hotels to restaurants and local transport providers.
Small companies remain central to the sector. Data from Sebrae indicate that micro and small businesses account for approximately 97% of registered tourism enterprises in Brazil.
What the figures mean for travellers
For visitors planning Brazil holidays, the latest results suggest continued demand for established destinations such as São Paulo and Bahia, as well as growing interest in less traditional markets including Roraima, Amapá and Alagoas.
Travellers should not interpret the national revenue record as evidence that every destination or hotel market is expanding equally. Local prices, transport availability, seasonal demand and accommodation performance can vary significantly between states.
Visitors should check current flight schedules, hotel availability and regional travel conditions before booking. Those travelling during school holidays or major cultural events may also find stronger demand for transport and accommodation in popular areas.
Brazil tourism outlook for the rest of 2026
Brazil’s record July result strengthens the possibility of tourism revenue approaching R$300 billion by the end of 2026. Bahia is leading regional percentage growth, São Paulo remains the largest revenue generator and aviation continues to provide a major foundation for travel across the country.
The main takeaway from the latest Brazil tourism figures is that the industry is expanding, but not evenly. Travellers can expect continued activity across major gateways and leading holiday regions, while businesses and destinations will be watching whether demand remains strong through the rest of the year.
