Nova Friburgo, in Rio de Janeiro state’s mountain region, recorded search growth of more than 150% year on year on Airbnb for check-ins between September and November 2026.
Santarém, Lençóis and Chapada dos Veadeiros were listed by Airbnb among the non-urban destinations with the largest increases in searches for check-ins between September and November 2026.
What does the shift mean for investors?
Search data signals intent rather than guaranteed revenue. However, the structural backdrop is solid. According to the Braztoa 2026 Yearbook, domestic travel generated R$18.66 billion in operator revenue in 2025 and represented 77.9% of the total revenue of tourism operators. Domestic departures reached 7.1 million, and more than 19 million accommodation nights were sold in 2025.
Hotel pipeline data reinforces the case. HotelInvest survey reported that 73% of hotel rooms in development through 2029 were outside Brazil’s capital cities.
Wider geographic spread also benefits municipalities beyond the main gateways.
Execution remains the decisive variable
Search interest converts to returns only where access, accommodation and year-round demand align. Many emerging destinations face constraints — limited flight connections, thin hotel supply and strong seasonality. Investors must price those risks carefully before committing capital.
Environmental capacity also matters. Operators must calibrate room supply and visitor numbers to local limits. Overbuilding risks degrading the very attributes that drove demand in the first place.
Quick answers
Nova Friburgo led with search growth of more than 150% year on year for stays between September and November 2026. Santarém, Lençóis and Chapada dos Veadeiros also ranked among the top performers, according to Airbnb data.
According to the Braztoa 2026 Yearbook, domestic travel generated R$18.66 billion in operator revenue in 2025, representing 77.9% of total sector revenue, with 7.1 million domestic departures and more than 19 million room nights.
HotelInvest reported that 73% of planned hotel rooms in Brazil are located outside the country’s capital cities, reflecting growing developer confidence in secondary and regional markets.
