World Economic Forum unveils top 10 countries with optimal tourism conditions

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has recently unveiled its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), ranking 119 countries worldwide based on their tourism offerings. The index evaluates countries across 17 pillars and 102 individual indicators, covering aspects such as enabling environment, policy and conditions, infrastructure, resources, and sustainability.

According to the report, the United States has been named the top best-placed country for travel and tourism, followed by Spain and Japan. European destinations dominate the top 10, with Australia and China also making the list. WEF attributes this success to increased global air route capacity, connectivity, and investment in natural and cultural resources.

Despite the rankings, data from UN Tourism shows that the Middle East, Africa, and Europe have already surpassed pre-pandemic tourism levels in 2024, while the Americas are still lagging behind. Surprisingly, customer surveys from TripAdvisor and Global Hotel Alliance do not place the US as a top destination, with European, Middle Eastern, and Southeast-Asian countries leading the rankings.

While the US offers a favorable environment for tourism, it seems that its appeal to international travelers has not reached its peak yet. The discrepancy between WEF’s ranking and actual tourist preferences highlights the complexity of the travel and tourism industry, where factors like cultural appeal and customer experience play a significant role in destination choices.