Brazilian destinations are competing in eight categories of one of the world’s most important tourism awards: the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024, run by the British magazine of the same name. In three of them, national locations have been highlighted as the best in the world and Brazil is also competing as one of the most desirable destinations outside Europe.
The cities of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (BA) are candidates for the title of “most desirable cities” at the awards, which this year will take place on November 6th. The country is also competing in the ‘Outstanding Destination’ categories in: Nature and Wildlife; Adventure; Culture; Gastronomy and Sustainability. Voting is open to the public via the awards website.
Click HERE and take part!
The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards have been running for 23 years and highlight the destinations, tour operators and travel brands most desired by travelers.
In 2023, more than 91,000 readers took part in the voting, which saw Brazil as the most desirable country in the “Nature and Wildlife” category, as well as coming eighth in the top 10 countries most desired by tourists from all over the world. More than 100,000 unique votes are expected for 2024.
FOREIGNERS – In 2024, Brazil surpassed the mark of four million international tourists arriving to visit its destinations. The result from January to July was 10.4% higher than the same period last year. The new record reflects the result of the actions of the Ministry of Tourism and Embratur to increase the attraction of foreigners to the country.
Argentina was the main source of travelers to the country (1.8 million), followed by the United States (668.4 thousand), Chile (458.5 thousand), Paraguay (424.4 thousand) and Uruguay (334.7 thousand). The main gateways into the country were the states of São Paulo (1.2 million), Rio de Janeiro (868.3 thousand), Rio Grande do Sul (647.7 thousand), Paraná (573.5 thousand) and Santa Catarina (328.2 thousand).
RECORDS – The latest results for international tourism in Brazil add to other positive figures, such as spending by travelers from other countries. In the first half of this year, there were R$20.9 billion (US$3.7 billion), according to the Central Bank. Growth from January to June 2024 is 15% compared to the same period last year. In 2023, Brazil had already set a revenue record: US$ 6.9 billion, surpassing 2014, the year of the World Cup on home soil.
STRENGTHENING – The Ministry of Tourism is carrying out various actions and programs to strengthen the development of the sector and increase the presence of foreigners in Brazil. One of these is the improvement of the national tourist infrastructure. In 2023, the MTur supported 510 projects in the country, such as the renovation of waterfronts, the paving of roads and the construction of event centers, which had a total investment of R$ 380 million from the federal government.
Another initiative is the expansion of the international air network, with new flights to new destinations, as well as increased frequencies on routes already operated.The Program to Accelerate International Tourism (PATI), launched this year in partnership with Embratur and the Ministry of Ports and Airports, made it possible to increase the number of seats on foreign flights to Brazil by 70,000 between October this year and March 2025.
By Cláudia Bispo
Ministry of Tourism Communications Office
