Lanka among world’s 10 fastest-improving tourism economies

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the world’s 10 fastest-improving travel and tourism economies in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026.

According to the latest index, Sri Lanka’s TTDI score improved by 4.3% between 2024 and 2026, placing the country 10th among the economies that recorded the largest gains during the period.

Albania topped the list with a 7% improvement, followed by Viet Nam at 6.3%, Laos at 6.1%, Qatar at 6%, Malaysia at 5.8%, Thailand at 5.6%, the Philippines and Morocco at 5.5% each, Nepal at 5.1% and Sri Lanka at 4.3%.

The World Economic Forum said emerging tourism markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East and North Africa regions, were improving their tourism competitiveness faster than many established destinations.

Overall, 92% of the 110 economies assessed in the 2026 index improved their scores compared with 2024, while the global average increased by 2%.

The TTDI assesses economies across 17 pillars covering areas including tourism infrastructure, air connectivity, cultural and natural resources, enabling conditions and sustainability.

Japan was ranked the world’s top travel and tourism economy in 2026, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France.

The findings come amid continued expansion in global tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic, with international tourist arrivals reaching a record 1.5 billion in 2025, according to the World Economic Forum.