BRASILIA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazilians traveling abroad spent 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first two months of 2022, a 173 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data published Friday by the Central Bank of Brazil.

       The bank's report said the jump in tourism spending abroad was due to relaxed health restrictions as COVID-19 cases declined.

       Since March 2020, such spending dropped because of travel restrictions and a depreciation of the Brazilian currency against the U.S. dollar.

       Despite the increase, Brazilian tourism spending abroad remains well below the pre-pandemic period.

       In the same period of 2020, Brazilian travelers spent 2.32 billion U.S. dollars abroad, that is 55.7 percent more than in the first two months of this year.