A recent study revealed that while a majority of São Paulo residents view tourism positively, nearly half believe it contributes to rising local living costs.
The CIET (Center for Intelligence in Tourism Economics), under the São Paulo State Tourism and Travel Secretariat, conducted a survey indicating that nine out of ten residents perceive the impact of tourism on their cities positively. However, a significant portion, 44%, feel that tourism activities contribute to escalating the local cost of living, with 35% disagreeing with this sentiment and 20% considering themselves neutral. The findings highlight a complex relationship between the benefits and drawbacks of tourism in urban communities.
The 2025-2026 Tourism Perception Survey interviewed residents from 468 municipalities in São Paulo state between November 11, 2025, and January 31, 2026. A total of 46,583 valid responses were recorded, and the study boasts a 99% confidence level with a 0.6 percentage point margin of error. This research, now in its sixth edition, utilized an online questionnaire that featured six demographic questions and 22 opinion-based questions regarding tourism's social, cultural, and economic impacts.
The collaboration with local municipalities to distribute the survey highlights the importance of community engagement in understanding tourism's role in their areas. The results not only offer insights into the public perception of tourism but also underscore the need for policymakers to balance the economic benefits that tourism brings along with the rising living costs, striving for a more sustainable and equitable tourism model that addresses both residents' concerns and the growth in tourist activities.
