Paraguay is enjoying an unprecedented surge in international visitors, marking what officials describe as the strongest period for the country’s tourism industry to date. Between January and September 2025, Paraguay welcomed 2,252,532 international arrivals, according to figures from the National Tourism Secretariat (Senatur) and the National Directorate of Migration. This number of over 2.2 million tourists represents a 53% rise in overseas visitors compared to the same period last year. Additionally, applications for temporary and permanent residency jumped by 51% from January to June 2025.
Over 2.2 million: Breakdown of tourists and day-trippers
Senatur reports that the 2.2 million visitors equate to an 84% increase in overnight tourists and a 19% uptick in day-trippers relative to 2024.
“We are seeing how tourism is consolidating itself as a real pillar of our economy, generating employment, development, and national pride,” said Angie Duarte, the Minister of Tourism. The data was processed and refined by Senatur’s Tourism Observatory, which analyses entry profiles to isolate genuine international tourists, those staying at least one night in the country.
Day-tripper estimates, in contrast, draw on established methodologies and prior statistics from the National Secretariat.
High-profile gatherings
The influx has been amplified by high-profile gatherings, including the 2025 Junior Pan American Games and the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Paraguay, each attracting tens of thousands of attendees. The Games, held from 9 to 23 August 2025, generated an economic windfall exceeding US$23 million for Paraguay’s tourism industry. More than 10,272 visitors from abroad directly linked to the Games arrived, including athletes, coaches, officials, media representatives, technical staff, volunteers, and accompanying parties.
The influx was further supported by the meetings tourism sector, highlighted by the FIFA Congress held in May 2025. This advancement, according to Senatur, stems from close collaboration between the National Tourism Secretariat and the National Directorate of Migration, aimed at streamlining visitor entry procedures and bolstering Paraguay’s image as a competitive destination.
