Japan Tops the List in WEF’s 2026 Global Travel & Tourism Index
Japan has ascended to the pinnacle in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), climbing two spots from its 2024 ranking to usurp the United States, which now occupies the second position. Spain completes the top three, with Australia (up two places) and France trailing in fourth and fifth places respectively.
This index, a collaborative effort with the Zurich Insurance Group, evaluates 110 economies not merely on the basis of visitor count, but also on a wider spectrum of factors that facilitate sustainable tourism. These include transport infrastructure, air connectivity, cultural and natural resources, visitor services, and environmental sustainability. Japan earned a score of 5.27 out of 7, with the WEF commending its world-class infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, digital readiness, and innovative visitor management strategies aimed at evenly distributing tourists across various regions.
In 2025, Japan saw a record-breaking 42.7 million international visitors, who spent nearly $60 billion. The country is now proactively striving to divert demand to less-visited areas. In other noteworthy movements in the index, India made a significant jump, rising nine places to rank 31st, propelled by enhancements in tourism infrastructure, cultural assets, and affordable travel costs. On a global scale, 101 of the 110 economies improved their TTDI scores since 2024, marking the fastest average growth since 2019.
Source: Outlook Traveller – Which Countries Lead Global Tourism In 2026? WEF Ranking Reveals Top 10