Brazil should be a Mecca for tourists. Here’s why it isn’t

Paris hosted 26 million international visitors in 2023. Brazil, meanwhile, has never reached the mark of seven million foreign tourists in a year. The competition to attract international tourists is fierce. The idea that Brazil’s lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and friendly hospitality are enough to attract potential travelers is a fallacy.

The country currently attracts less than 0.5 percent of the world’s international trips, a stark contrast to Mexico (3.2%), Thailand (2.2%), and India (1.1%). Argentina, a smaller neighbor, welcomes more international travelers than Brazil annually.

How can this be? Although there are plenty of problems in Brazil, five mains reasons help explain the…