Tourism on the Rise, Greater International Mobility and Air Connectivity in Paraguay

The growth of tourism, international mobility and air connectivity reinforce the context of economic and urban activity.

Paraguay closed 2025 with record figures in tourism and international mobility, consolidating a trend that extends beyond the tourism sector and is part of a broader context of increased urban economic activity and demand for services. The results were presented by the Minister of Tourism, Angie Duarte, the National Director of Migration, Jorge Kronawetter, and the head of DINAC (National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics), Nelson Mendoza Rolón, who all emphasized the positive impact of public policies aimed at strengthening connectivity, international promotion, and the institutional framework of the sector.

Last year, the country received a total of 3,657,194 visitors, of which 2,029,678 were tourists and 1,627,516 were day-trippers, a segment that registered a year-on-year growth of 39%. Within this context, Paraguay recorded a historic 91.24% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2025, confirming the magnitude of the regional surge in tourism and a broadening of the visitor profile, with more diversified stays and greater consumption of urban services.

From the perspective of source markets, Argentina remained the leading origin of visitors, accounting for 79.98% of arrivals, followed by Brazil with 10.14%, the United States with 1.09%, and other countries that, together, represented approximately 9% of the total. This composition reinforces the importance of regional tourism, but also demonstrates a slow diversification toward markets with higher average spending.

In economic terms, tourism generated approximately USD 1.422 billion in revenue, boosting key sectors such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, commerce, and handicrafts. This impact is further enhanced by the indirect effect on the real estate market, particularly in areas with a high concentration of services, corporate hubs, city centers, and established tourist destinations, where the demand for short-term rentals, urban hotels, and short-stay accommodations continues to expand.

Meanwhile, the National Directorate of Migration reported a record 47,600 residency applications in 2025, representing a 63% increase over the previous year. Of these, 34,875 were for temporary residency, a clear indication of the growing number of foreigners choosing Paraguay as their home base, whether for work, business, tax, or quality of life reasons.

The trend continued into early 2026. According to Kronawetter, 2,817 applications were registered in the first 20 days of the year alone, 79% more than in the same period of 2025, anticipating another year of strong migration growth. This sustained influx is beginning to emerge as a significant factor in the housing market, especially in Asunción.

To meet this growing demand, the Immigration Department plans to launch a digital system by mid-year, developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC), which will streamline residency applications and enhance the transparency of the process. Administrative modernization is seen as a key factor in supporting this growth without creating institutional bottlenecks.

From a tourism management perspective, the report presented by Minister Duarte highlights the implementation of the "Good Host" campaign on more than 138 occasions, the holding of 236 events within the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, and an estimated economic impact of USD 500 million associated with meetings tourism and its logistics. This is complemented by the strong performance of domestic tourism, generating USD 195 million and involving more than 1.2 million Paraguayans traveling during long weekends and national holidays, which explains a 103% increase in tourist flow as of November 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year.

In terms of air connectivity, 2025 marked significant progress with the opening of new routes to Salta, Córdoba, and Buenos Aires, seasonal service increases to Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis, and Punta del Este, and increased frequencies for Air Europa, which currently operates seven weekly flights between Asunción and Madrid. This strengthening of the air network not only boosts tourism but also improves the country's competitiveness for investment, international events, and foreign residency.

Finally, the transfer of the Encarnación airport to DINAC was highlighted as a strategic step toward its future conversion into an international airport. This measure has a direct impact on the tourism and urban development of southern Paraguay, opening new opportunities for hotel, residential, and service projects in a region with strong growth potential.

The increase in tourist traffic and the growth in residency applications are part of the overall context in which the real estate market operates, particularly in the rental segment. The greater presence of visitors and temporary residents is reflected in a sustained demand for housing units in established urban areas, where proximity to services, connectivity, and urban amenities is a determining factor. This trend is most evident in cities that concentrate economic, administrative, and tourist activity.

Taken together, the figures confirm that tourism, migration, and air connectivity are shaping a new scenario for Paraguay, with effects that are beginning to be felt beyond the tourism sector and are projected onto urban dynamics, territorial planning, and the real estate market as a whole.