Tourism by Chinese visitors to Brazil recorded growth of 35% between 2024 and 2025, even before the visa exemption policy for short-term tourists came into force. The information was released by the Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Feliciano, in an interview with CNN Behind the Scenes this Wednesday (27).
“With this given by the federal government, we expect this number to grow,” said Feliciano.
The minister participates in ITB Shanghai, one of the largest tourism fairs in Asia. The agenda in Shanghai included meetings with representatives from the private sector and Chinese state-owned companies.
Feliciano reported meetings with China Eastern, an airline that currently operates the longest flight in the world, to Buenos Aires, and which showed interest in establishing one, with just one technical stop. “We are in negotiations to see the feasibility of this flight,” he declared.
In addition to negotiations with China Eastern, Feliciano also met with a state-owned company that, according to him, holds more than 70% of the Chinese market.
The meeting is part of a broader connectivity strategy, which involves partnerships between airlines to expand access to Brazil from China.
Feliciano highlighted that Chinese tourists’ interest in Brazil goes beyond air connectivity. According to him, there is a strong attraction to the country’s natural beauty.
“The Chinese are enchanted with the Amazon jungle, with our Pantanal, with the Iguaçu Falls,” he stated.
Brazilian culture also figures as an important element of tourism promotion. “The Chinese are also very attracted to the culture of other countries, they like our carnival. We are also promoting the June festivals and the Boi de Parintins”, he concluded.
