Official figures underline the strength of the Canary Islands as one of the world’s most powerful tourist destinations, with the Archipelago recording more foreign visitors in 2025 than Brazil as a whole.
Comparisons in the tourism sector can sometimes produce unexpected results. One of the most striking examples comes from the latest official data, which shows that the Canary Islands receive more international tourists each year than the whole of Brazil.
The comparison is especially remarkable because Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world, a South American giant stretching across millions of square kilometres, with internationally recognised destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, the Amazon, Iguaçu Falls and its extensive Atlantic coastline.
Despite that scale, the Canary Islands — an archipelago made up of eight main islands — comfortably surpassed Brazil’s annual number of foreign visitors.
A record year for both destinations
The year 2025 closed with historic tourism figures for both Brazil and the Canary Islands. Brazil achieved its best year ever for international tourism, receiving 9.3 million foreign visitors, according to official figures from Embratur, the Brazilian government agency responsible for promoting tourism.
The Canary Islands, however, ended the same year with 15.7 million foreign tourists, according to the Survey on Tourist Expenditure published by ISTAC.
That means the Archipelago welcomed more than six million additional international visitors compared with Brazil.
A striking difference in scale
The contrast highlights the extraordinary weight of tourism in the Canary Islands’ economy and international positioning.
While Brazil is a continental country with enormous geographical, cultural and natural diversity, the Canary Islands operate on a completely different scale. Yet their connectivity, climate, hotel infrastructure, European market proximity and consolidated reputation as a year-round destination continue to place them among the strongest tourism territories in the world.
The figures also show the exceptional pulling power of the Islands among foreign travellers. The Archipelago benefits from direct air connections with major European markets, a mild climate throughout the year and a tourism model that remains particularly attractive for visitors seeking sun, beaches, nature, gastronomy and outdoor activities.
More than six million visitors ahead
The difference between the two destinations is significant. Brazil received 9.3 million international tourists in 2025, while the Canary Islands reached 15.7 million. In practical terms, the Islands received more than six million foreign tourists more than the entire South American country.
This comparison does not diminish Brazil’s growth, as the country recorded its strongest international tourism performance to date. However, it does place the Canary Islands’ tourism figures in a striking global context.
For the Archipelago, the data confirms once again its position as a major international tourism powerhouse, capable of competing not only with other European destinations, but also with countries of continental scale.
