Press release

China fuels South America travel with 311% surge in searches and 30% rise in bookings

September 12, 2025
Last updated: October 28, 2025
2 min read
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Paola Garrido
Corporate Communications,
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The Travel Insights 2025: Focus on the Americas report—produced by Amadeus in collaboration with UN Tourism—highlights a strong rebound in South American travel, driven by expanding air capacity, rising demand from emerging markets, and evolving traveler behaviors. Based on forward-looking data from Amadeus Navigator360™, the report details how these trends are reshaping tourism strategies across the region.


Air traffic to the Americas rose by 1.8% year-on-year (July 2024-June 2025), with South America leading regional growth in air capacity at +6%. This expansion reflects improved connectivity and access to emerging hubs, creating new opportunities for destination management organizations (DMOs) to promote lesser-known destinations and adapt infrastructure with shifting travel flows.


Passenger traffic to South America grew 5.9% year-on-year, signaling a strong post-pandemic recovery. While Brazil and the U.S. lead in search activity, Argentina tops the list for actual travel—highlighting a gap between interest and bookings that presents room for growth. China stands out as the top origin market to South America with the highest growth both in terms of searches (a 311% increase) and for bookings (a 30% rise), showing that interest is beginning to convert.


Countries like Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile appear among the top-performing destinations for both searches and bookings. Paraguay leads in booking growth (+9%), while Chile and Peru show strong performance across both metrics. Florianopolis, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima remained leading destinations, while nature-focused locations such as San Carlos de Bariloche and Calama gained popularity.


Hotel performance across South America stayed stable in early 2025, with several months outperforming 2024. Brazil and Argentina continue to command higher average daily rates (ADRs), while Colombia’s lower ADRs may contribute to its continued appeal for budget-conscious travelers. Seasonal variations across countries highlight opportunities for multi-destination itineraries and regional collaboration.

“Data is the bridge between ambition and action. This report delivers forward‑looking intelligence on traveler trends in South America—from rising demand for nature‑based destinations to shifts in booking behavior and connectivity. These insights help destinations anticipate demand, tailor campaigns, and unlock new growth opportunities. “

Sergio Rosarios Regional Vice President, Latin America & Caribbean, Amadeus

“At UN Tourism, we are committed to helping South American destinations strengthen their market intelligence through strategic data. In a fast‑changing environment, timely insights are vital to guide tourism development that is both resilient and sustainable. This report provides valuable guidance to support smarter decision‑making across the region.” 

Zurab Pololikashvili Secretary-General , UN Tourism

Amadeus and UN Tourism reaffirm their shared commitment to supporting destinations across the Americas with actionable insights and strategic guidance to foster a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for travel.


Download the full report here.

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