The World Economic Forum has released its 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, ranking 110 economies on the factors and conditions that support th…
1/111. Japan | Japan has moved up two places to take the top spot in the WEF’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. The country welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, with the WEF pointing to its efforts to attract travellers beyond its major tourism hubs. Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Mount Fuji remain among Japan’s best-known attractions, while the country is also known for its cultural heritage and transport infrastructure. (Image: Canva)
2/112. United States | The United States ranks second in the 2026 index, slipping from the top spot in the previous edition. Its tourism appeal spans major cities such as New York and Los Angeles, as well as natural attractions including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and California’s Redwood forests. (Image: Canva)
3/113. Spain | Spain ranks third in the index. Barcelona and Madrid are major international tourism centres, while the country also draws visitors with its historic sites, architecture, beaches, cultural heritage and cuisine. The Alhambra in Granada, Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the historic centre of Córdoba are among its best-known attractions. (Image: Canva)
4/114. Australia | Australia has moved up two places to rank fourth in the 2026 index. The country’s tourism offering includes its beaches, wildlife, natural landscapes and major cities. Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s national parks are among its major tourism draws. (Image: Canva)
5/115. France | France ranks fifth globally in the WEF’s 2026 index. Paris remains one of the world’s most visited cities, with attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. Beyond the capital, France offers historic towns, Mediterranean destinations and countryside tourism. (Image: Canva)
6/116. Germany | Germany ranks sixth in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. Berlin and Munich are major urban tourism destinations, while the country is also known for its historic towns, castles and natural landscapes. Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps are among the country’s popular attractions. (Image: Canva)
7/117. United Kingdom | The United Kingdom holds the seventh position in the 2026 index. London remains its biggest international tourism draw, but visitors also travel to destinations across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Edinburgh, Bath and the Scottish Highlands are among the country’s well-known attractions. (Image: Canva)
8/118. China | China ranks eighth and is the only non-advanced economy in the WEF’s top 10. The country combines major cultural and historical attractions with large modern cities. The Great Wall, Beijing’s Forbidden City, Shanghai’s skyline and Chengdu’s food culture are among its major tourism draws. The WEF also notes that China improved its score faster than the global average. (Image: Canva)
9/119. Switzerland | Switzerland ranks ninth in the 2026 index. The country’s tourism sector is closely associated with the Alps and winter sports, while its cities, lakes and historic towns also attract visitors. Zurich, Geneva and Bern are among its best-known cities. (Image: Canva)
10/1110. Italy | Italy rounds out the WEF’s top 10. Rome’s historic sites, Venice’s canals, Florence’s Renaissance heritage, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast are among the country’s major tourism attractions. Its food and cultural heritage are also important parts of its tourism appeal. (Image: Canva)
11/11Where does India rank? | India has climbed nine places to rank 31st among 110 economies in the WEF’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. The country’s score also improved from the previous edition. The WEF highlights India’s cultural and natural resources, while its tourism offering ranges from heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal to destinations such as Kerala’s backwaters. (Image: Canva)
