WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026
The Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 marks the 10th edition of the World Economic Forum’s flagship travel and tourism benchmark series, first launched in 2007 as the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index and relaunched in its current form in 2022.
Global Tourism Landscape
- Recovery & Growth: The sector has moved beyond recovery, with 1.5 billion international arrivals in 2025.
- Improved Conditions: 92% of the 110 ranked economies improved their TTDI scores between 2024–2026, with average scores rising by 2.1% — the fastest pace since 2019.
Top Performers:
1. Japan
2. United States
3. Spain
4. Australia
5. France
6. Germany
7. United Kingdom
8. China
9. Switzerland
10. Italy
Regional & Emerging Trends
- Europe & Eurasia: Six of the top 10 economies, confirming the region’s strength.
- Asia-Pacific Momentum: Seven of the 10 fastest-improving performers are from Asia-Pacific.
- Albania: Most improved economy overall (2024–2026).
- Emerging Economies: Improving more than twice as fast as the top 20, driven by competitive pricing and sustainable tourism models.
Challenges Ahead
- Affordability: Travel prices rising faster than inflation, reducing competitiveness in 75% of economies.
- Investment Gaps: Tourism investment has lagged behind activity since 2022.
- Workforce Shortages: Skills gaps risk service quality and adaptation to digital/AI-driven change.
- Unequal Benefits: Growth not always translating into broader social/economic value; crowding pressures remain high.
- Resilience: Climate, economic, and geopolitical risks make resilience a key competitive advantage.
Case Studies (GSTC Members Highlighted)
- Türkiye: National sustainable tourism program with GSTC standards; 2,000+ accommodations certified, mandatory by 2030.
- Germany: National Tourism Data Platform with 500,000 records; supports AI-powered travel assistant Emma.
- Costa Rica: Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), focused on sustainability, destination quality, and community engagement.
This edition of TTDI underscores that tourism growth alone is not enough — destinations must balance expansion with sustainability, affordability, and resilience to ensure long-term benefits.
