Small businesses fuel job creation as international tourism spending reaches historic highs
Brazil’s tourism sector reinforced its role as one of the country’s leading economic drivers in 2025, combining record levels of formal employment with a strong increase in international visitor spending, according to official national data.
The sector, which is overwhelmingly made up of small and micro-sized enterprises, recorded more than 1.9 million formal job contracts over the year, marking the highest level of hiring ever registered in tourism-related activities. The results highlight tourism’s growing contribution to income generation, regional development and labour market stability.
Alongside employment growth, spending by foreign visitors reached its highest level on record in 2025, rising by more than seven per cent compared with the previous year. The increase reflects stronger international demand, broader promotion of Brazilian destinations abroad and the expansion of experience-based tourism, as reported by Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS.
By December 2025, total formal employment in tourism exceeded 2.3 million workers, representing annual growth of 3.5 per cent. Compared with 2023, employment expanded by 6.7 per cent, while the increase reached 12.4 per cent relative to 2022, confirming a sustained upward trend.
More than 90 per cent of tourism activity in Brazil is generated by small businesses, making them central to job creation and the spread of economic benefits across the country. Their presence enables tourism revenues to reach smaller cities, rural areas and diverse cultural regions, strengthening local economies and social inclusion.
With rising international demand, a strong network of small enterprises and continued institutional support, tourism closed 2025 as one of the most dynamic sectors of Brazil’s economy. The combination of employment growth, foreign revenue inflows and regional inclusion is expected to sustain momentum in the years ahead.
African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS
