Brazil and China announce 2026 as year of culture and tourism to boost bilateral travel and cultural exchange

Brazil and China have officially agreed to designate 2026 as the Year of Culture and Tourism, an initiative aimed at strengthening bilateral relations through increased cultural exchange and tourism development. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Brasilia between the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in Brazil.

The initiative will involve a comprehensive calendar of joint activities designed to promote both countries as key travel destinations, with an emphasis on cultural heritage and mutual discovery, as reported by the official website of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism.

As part of this collaboration, both sides have committed to creating integrated tourism routes, including proposals for BRICS-wide cultural itineraries and targeted efforts to develop niche sectors such as sports tourism.

Brazil's Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino underscored the strategic importance of the Chinese market, stating that the Year of Culture and Tourism will mark a significant milestone in Brazil–China relations.

According to the Ministry, China remains a key tourism partner for Brazil. In the past year alone, travellers from China undertook over 130 million international trips, and Brazil is currently the leading Latin American destination for Chinese tourists. In addition to established business travel, there is growing interest among Chinese visitors in nature and ecotourism.

Photo: iStock