Brazil is crediting its rollout of an electronic visa for an
increase in international arrivals last year, including a 13.3% jump in U.S. visitors.
According to Brazil’s ministry of tourism, the country welcomed
538,532 U.S. visitors in 2018, the first year of operation for Brazil’s e-visa
program. That was up from 475,232 in 2017 but still down from 2016, when Brazil
reported over 570,000 arrivals from the U.S.
Larger gains were seen from Canada, rising from 48,951
visitors in 2017 to 71,160 in 2018, a 45.4% increase, and Australia, from
33,862 to 42,235 arrivals, a 24.7% increase. Overall international arrivals
were up slightly last year, to 6.6 million, an increase of about 0.5%.
Beginning June 17, Brazil will enable visa-free entry for
citizens of the U.S. as well as Australia, Canada and Japan.