Foreign tourists spent the equivalent of US$5.3bn in Brazil in 2009 according to figures released this week by the Central Bank. Despite the global recession it was the second highest figure since 1947, when the Central Bank first calculated Brazil's earnings from international tourism. It represents an 8% decrease in comparison with 2008, the best year ever.

There has been a clear upward trend over the last seven years, with the 2009 figure more than double that recorded in 2003. Brazilian tourist board (Embratur) president Jeanine Pires said it was 'an exceptional result' in the context of the economic downturn experienced by the countries that make the biggest contribution to international tourism, particularly those in Europe.

Total spending by Brazilian tourists abroad in 2009 was very slightly less (0.6%) than in 2008.

Source: Ministry of Tourism and Embassy of Brazil in London