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Brazil’s Tourism Spending Importance Ranks Amongst the Top in the World

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on May 21, 2015

4 min read

Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro highlighting Brazil's vibrant tourism scene - Global Banking & Finance Review — This aerial image captures the stunning landscape of Rio de Janeiro, a key destination in Brazil's tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the national economy. The image emphasizes Brazil's ranking in global tourism spending, vital for its GDP growth.

Travel and Tourism totals 3.5% of Brazil’s GDP in 2014 (WTTC)
Leisure travel spending equates to 85.8% of direct Travel and Tourism GDP in 2014 (WCCT)
FIFA World Cup 2014 added USD$13.5 billion to Brazil’s GDP in 2014 (Vicente Neto)

Unsurprisingly, Brazil’s tourism ranks high in the world when measured by importance of its contributions to the Brazilian economy. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) figures show that the direct contribution of Travel & Tourism in Brazil was 3.5% of its GDP in 2014, with projections to grow 1.5% in 2015 and 3.5% per annum from 2015 to 2025.

According to WCCT, most travel spending in Brazil is generated by leisure travel spending (including both domestic and inbound), rather than business travel. In fact, the former accounted for 85.8% of direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2014, whilst the latter accounted for 14.2%. Both leisure and business travel spending are projected to grow at a healthy pace from 2016 to 2025, with leisure travel growing by 3.6% per annum and business travel by 2.8% per annum during this period. Looking at tourism growth as a whole, preliminary estimates suggest that 2015 will be another exceptional year for Brazil.

The World Cup in 2014 is estimated to have had a net impact of ca. USD$3 billion on the Brazilian economy, according to Brazilian Tourism President Vicente Neto, adding a total of USD$13.5 billion to Brazil’s GDP in 2014. Neto confirmed that a satisfaction survey carried out among foreign tourists arriving in Brazil during the World Cup, indicated that 95% showed their willingness to return to the country. The study also revealed that 61% of foreign tourists visited Brazil for the first time and the geographical distribution of the matches across the country, with 12 host cities of which Natal was the ‘opening’ city, was highly important for promotion of destinations that were not previously well-known internationally.

aerial over Rio

Natal has been one of the cities that benefited immensely from the World Cup promotion and infrastructure invested in the city, in connection to the tournament. Leading Brazilian developer Ritz-G5, whose investment projects are established in this region, have definitely noticed an increase in enquires, with Luiz Fernandes, CEO explaining how recent sporting events have had an impact on the property market,

“Last year, Brazil experienced record-breaking tourism numbers, including over 1 million visitors from 203 countries during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, significantly exceeding initial estimates. With Natal being featured as a host city, there has been a dramatic rise in interest for the region which has led to further development opportunities. We are very excited to continue working in such a vibrant, beautiful city, especially now that Natal has been recognised as one of Brazil’s prime locations.”

Brazil is igniting further excitement with the celebration of the Rio 2016 Olympics, as according to Brazil’s Tourism Agency, Embratur, one week after the tickets for the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016 went on sale in April 2015 for the first draw, Brazilian fans have already applied for 1.2 million tickets. Embratur officials say 7.5 million tickets will go on sale for the Rio Olympic Games, with more than half priced at just $22 or less. If ticket sales are any indication, then 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio are already shaping up to be a highly successful sporting event, especially in relation to Brazil’s global economy and tourism.

Home to some of the most fashionable beaches and neighbourhoods in Natal, Ritz-G5’s latest project Mercure Natal is a contemporary 252-suite, 4-star hotel located in the upmarket district of Ponte Negra, and is set to open in early 2017. This development occupies the last available plot on the prestigious Via Costeira and offers excellent amenities including a business centre, private swimming pool and 24-hour concierge. At 43 metres above sea level, 300 metres from Ponta Negra beach and on a 30 degree elevation, residents have stunning direct views towards the Atlantic Ocean and a Brazilian landmark, the Morro do Careca, or Bald Man’s Hill.