The impact of tourism on the city's economy will reach R$ 12,2 billion by the beginning of 2026.

Tourism injected R$ 12,2 billion into the economy of Rio de Janeiro between January and April 2026, a result driven by the increased flow of national and international visitors. This represents a 3,2% growth compared to the same period in 2025, with an additional R$ 374,5 million circulating in the city's economy. A study by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, prepared by the Municipal Secretariats of Economic Development (SMDE) and Tourism (SMTUR-Rio) in partnership with Riotur, shows that between January and April, Rio received 4,5 million tourists, of which 990,4 (22%) were international and 3,5 million (78%) were national.

– Rio de Janeiro has expanded its capacity to attract visitors in recent years, registering historical records in the tourism sector. The growth in the flow of tourists, both national and international, even during the low season months, has boosted the city's economy and generated positive effects in various sectors, expanding job and income opportunities – analyzes Osmar Lima, Rio's Municipal Secretary of Economic Development.

Of the total amount spent by tourists, the largest share was allocated to lodging and accommodation, accounting for 40% of the total, equivalent to R$ 5,0 billion. This was followed by expenses on restaurants and bars, totaling R$ 2,9 billion (24,9%), and on entertainment and leisure—such as parties, tourist attractions, and other activities—which generated R$ 1,9 billion (15,9%). Transportation and travel expenses represented R$ 879,2 million (7,4%), while purchases of products, such as clothing and souvenirs, totaled R$ 595,3 million (4,5%). Other expenses, including the purchase of food and beverages for consumption outside of bars and restaurants, fuel, and telecommunications services such as telephone and internet, totaled R$ 865,3 million (7,3%).

– The results reinforce Rio's position as one of the country's main tourist destinations and demonstrate the importance of integrated work promoting the city and strengthening the events calendar. The growth in visitor flow benefits the entire tourism chain, boosts the economy, and consolidates Rio as an increasingly competitive destination in national and international scenarios – comments Bernardo Fellows, president of Riotur.

To calculate the financial impact of tourism on Rio's economy, an average expenditure of R$ 2.195 per Brazilian tourist was considered, in values ​​updated to April 2026 and corrected by the IPCA (Brazilian inflation index). In the case of foreign visitors, the average expenditure was R$ 4.516, a value converted to dollars during the study period and updated by the exchange rate of April 2026.

The data on the flow of domestic and international tourists comes from the Carioca Tourism Observatory, of SMTUR-Rio. The estimate of economic activity was based on the study "Tourism Panorama – Domestic and International Tourism 2025," by the Fecomércio Institute for Research and Analysis (IFec RJ). It is worth noting that the Rio de Janeiro City Hall – through SMDE – has a Technical Cooperation Agreement with IFec RJ for conducting economic studies, including those on the tourism sector.

– More tourists circulating in the city reflects what we seek with the idea of ​​boosting the sector through gastronomy, a powerful ally, along with natural beauty, the beach, Carnival… Gastronomy, like fashion, sports, and adventure tourism, is linked to the daily life of Rio de Janeiro, something tourists are experiencing more and more closely – emphasizes the municipal secretary of Tourism, Daniela Maia.

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• Tourism

14 July 2026

Appointments: Study HICP Rio de Janeiro Tourism Observatory