Study shows that every R$1 invested generates R$16 for the Gross Domestic Product and R$9.8 billion in income for families
Tourism in federal Conservation Units reached, in 2025, a new level of economic impact in Brazil. This is what the study “Contributions of Tourism in Conservation Units to the Brazilian Economy” points out, prepared by ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation). The survey highlights the strategic role of these protected areas for the country’s economic development and confirms visitation to UCs as a public State policy.
The study shows that UCs generated R$40.7 billion in sales, R$20.3 billion in contributions to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and R$9.8 billion in income for families. The ICMBio survey also shows that 175 federal Conservation Units totaled 28.5 million visits – a historic record since the data began to be monitored in 2000.
National parks concentrate most of the visitor flow and lead tourism in UCs. In 2025, these units totaled 13.6 million visits – a historic record, above the 12.5 million registered in the previous year. The result reflects improvements in monitoring visitation, investments in infrastructure and services, the inclusion of new areas in the system and the appreciation of natural environments in the post-pandemic period.
The ranking keeps , with more than 4.9 million visits, at the top, followed by , with 2.2 million, and , with 1.3 million visitors.
The growth in visitation has direct effects on the economy, generating jobs and income in the surrounding regions, strengthening sustainable tourism and increasing local revenue.
João Paulo Capobianco, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, highlights that the Government of Brazil has been dedicated to this topic, through public policies and investments in infrastructure, services and personnel, as well as incentives for visits, such as the Nature with People program, launched by ICMBio in 2025.
“This study proves that Conservation Units are not only fundamental for regulating hydrological and climate cycles, protecting biodiversity and controlling deforestation, but they contribute significantly to the development of our economy on a sustainable basis. Care for these protected areas, therefore, is essential”said Capobianco.
“Since 2023, President Lula has created and expanded 20 Conservation Units, which total more than 1.7 million hectares – approximately three times the area of the Federal District. We have also significantly expanded ICMBio’s budget and staff”, he stressed.
The survey also highlights the efficiency of public investment in the sector. For every R$1 invested in the Chico Mendes Institute, R$16 in added value to GDP and R$2.30 in tax revenue are generated. Furthermore, tourism in federal UCs supports more than 332,500 jobs across the country.
Another highlight is the fiscal impact: the activity generated almost R$3 billion in tax revenue, an amount that exceeds twice the total budget of the managing body, considering only taxes on consumption and remuneration.
“The results show that conservation units, such as national parks, for example, are strategic for the development of Brazil. We had record visits and robust data on job generation, income and revenue, which only reinforces that investing in nature conservation and people’s experiences in natural areas generates economic benefits, health and quality of life”explained the president of ICMBio, Mauro Pires.
“Every real invested returns in a concrete way to the development of our country, strengthening sustainable tourism, valuing territories and expanding people’s connection with nature”he clarified.
The study “Contributions of Tourism in Conservation Units to the Brazilian Economy” uses the Tourism Economic Model for Protected Areasan adaptation of the American MGM2 model to the reality of developing countries. The model is internationally recognized by UNESCO and the World Bank as a scientific reference.
Among management categories, national parks are the main economic drivers, generating R$21.6 billion in sales and 219,600 jobs. Extractive reserves stand out for their community-based tourism, with the highest tax revenue per visit, R$116.60, causing a direct impact on municipal revenues.
The most visited in Brazil
Tijuca National Park, the most visited, is home to one of the country’s main postcards, Christ the Redeemer. Whether for national or international tourists, the park stands out for offering the experience of a jungle embedded in a large metropolis, a feature rarely found in other parks in the world.
Furthermore, there is a strong presence of the local public, looking for waterfalls, trails and postcards such as Pedra da Gávea (largest seaside monolith in the world), Pedra Bonita, Vista Chinesa and Pico da Tijuca. The unit serves as a starting point for long-distance trails, such as the Transcarioca, the first in Brazil and inspiration for the creation of the Brazilian Trail Network, in addition to the recently opened Volta ao Rio, 3,500 kilometers long.
The Iguaçu National Park is known worldwide for housing the Iguaçu Falls, recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the planet. The destination maintains a constantly evolving tourist offer, with activities such as cycle tourism, astrotourism and boat trips.
Differentiated experiences, such as contemplating the sunset and full moon at the Falls, have increased the interest of visitors. Among the new features is the Usina São João Circuit, which combines immersion in the Atlantic Forest, a waterfall bath in the Iguaçu River and a visit to the historic 1939 power plant, as well as space for contemplation and services.
In the Northeast, the Jericoacoara National Park is consolidated as one of the most sought after destinations in the country, driven by natural attractions such as Pedra Furada, Árvore da Preguiça, Serrote and the mangroves of the Guriú River, where it is possible to observe the seahorse (Hippocampus reidi). The region is also a reference for water sports, such as kitesurfing, and its accessibility increased with the implementation of the regional airport.
“The most visited conservation units in the country are not isolated destinations, but true tourism hubs in their regions. National parks play a strategic role in boosting regional development, at the same time as they promote nature conservation, expand access to different audiences and value local economies”says the general coordinator of Public Use and Environmental Services at ICMBio, Carla Guaitanele.
Visitation to Conservation Units
ICMBio’s monitoring also includes other categories of conservation units open to visitors, such as APAs (Environmental Protection Areas), Resex (Extractive Reserves), Rebio (Biological Reserves), Flona (National Forests) and Mona (Natural Monuments).
In this group, the leadership of the ranking remained with APA da Baleia Franca (SC), with 9.05 million visits. The most recent edition now includes, for the first time after adhering to the Institute’s methodology, the Natural Monument of the São Francisco River (BA and SE), with 1.17 million visits, while the list ends with the Marine Extractive Reserve of Arraial do Cabo (RJ), with 605,151 visits.
In addition to recreation and tourism, several other motivations lead the population to visit conservation units. Among them, environmental education and interpretation activities, carrying out scientific research, living in local and/or traditional communities, and the search for a better quality of life, health and well-being, through activities such as hiking, bicycle trails, climbing, bird and wildlife observation, among others, stand out.
The growth in visitation also brings challenges to the management of these areas, such as the need to balance public use with conservation, expand investments in infrastructure and planning, strengthen environmental education actions and improve the monitoring of environmental impacts.
This text was originally published by Agência Gov, on May 8, 2026. The content is free for republication, the source is cited, it was adapted to the standard of Poder360.
