1. Cruise Passengers: The Amazon River is a popular destination for river cruises. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), there were over 1.3 million cruise passengers visiting South America in 2019, a significant portion of whom are likely to have visited the Amazon River.
2. Ecolodges and Tours: Many ecolodges, tour operators, and adventure travel companies offer guided trips and expeditions to the Amazon rainforest and the river system. These trips can range from a few days to several weeks. The number of visitors participating in these tours varies throughout the year and can be influenced by factors like the season, accessibility, and economic conditions.
3. Local and Domestic Visitors: In addition to international tourists, there are also many local and domestic visitors who explore the Amazon River. This includes residents from countries like Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia, who may visit the river for recreational purposes, transportation, or livelihood-related activities (such as fishing or tourism-related businesses).
4. Challenges in Gathering Data: Given the vastness and remoteness of the Amazon rainforest and river, it can be difficult to accurately count the total number of visitors. Many remote areas are accessible only by boat or air, and there may not always be official checkpoints or entry systems in place to track visitor numbers.
So, while it's challenging to provide a precise figure, it's safe to say that the Amazon River sees a substantial number of visitors each year, ranging from cruise passengers to nature enthusiasts, researchers, and local communities.