Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026: Japan Leads, Global Growth Faces Pressures

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and Zurich Insurance Group have published the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026. The report assesses how effectively 110 economies are equipped to foster sustainable and resilient tourism growth, examining infrastructure, policies, workforce, and resources.

Japan secured the top position with a score of 5.27, followed by the United States in second place and Spain in third. A significant 92% of the assessed economies improved their scores since 2024, with the global average rising by 2.1%. Albania emerged as the most improved economy, increasing its score by 7.0%.

In 2025, international travel reached a record 1.5 billion travelers, contributing $11.6 trillion to the global economy and supporting 366 million jobs. However, the sector is confronting challenges such as rising prices, infrastructure strain, and an anticipated shortage of 43 million workers by 2035.

The TTDI 2026 places increased emphasis on resilience, the ability to withstand disruptions, as well as digital connectivity and workforce capacity. The report suggests that the sector's primary challenge is shifting from merely increasing visitor numbers to effectively managing growth and more broadly distributing its benefits.