The number of international tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro increased by 8% in 2010 compared with the previous year, according to a study conducted by Embratur, the Brazilian Tourism Board.

The city received 1.61 million foreign visitors last year, compared with 1.49 million in 2009, an increase of 120,000 people and the highest level of international tourists in the last five years. Revenues generated by tourism in the city came to over £1.2 billion.

RioTur (the Rio de Janeiro City Tourism Company), believes that the total will be even higher this year, since Rio received 131% more international tourists than expected for its Carnival in March.

Tourism Secretary and President of RioTur, Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello said, “We expect a further 300,000 tourists for the Rock in Rio festival alone. We’re hosting a growing number of large-scale events which are attracting even more tourists. And Rio’s profile abroad is constantly growing.”