The United States and Spain have secured the top two positions in the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), according to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the University of Surrey. The report ranks 119 countries based on their travel and tourism policies.
Developed economies, such as the US and Spain, have seen increased demand over the past year, particularly in popular tourist destinations. Developing economies like China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey have also shown significant progress, moving into the top 25% of the rankings.
The Middle East has experienced a remarkable surge in tourism, with levels jumping 20% above pre-pandemic figures. Regions like Africa, Europe, and the Americas have also demonstrated strong recovery rates, reaching around 90% of pre-pandemic levels last year.
The top 10 countries for travel and tourism in 2024 are:
- United States
- Spain
- Japan
- France
- Australia
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- China
- Italy
- Switzerland
The report highlights Europe’s consistent performance as the leading region, with 34 of its economies scoring above the index average. Europe offers the best environments for travel and tourism, including favorable business conditions, safety and hygiene standards, quality human resources, and advanced ICT infrastructure.
Key developing countries like China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey have made significant strides, with 70% of advancing countries being low to upper-middle-income economies since 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions have also shown notable progress, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia making substantial advancements in their travel and tourism sectors.