Top 10 countries with the strongest tourism economies in 2024

07-06-24

Thanks in part to its national parks, universities and major metropolitan areas, the United States boasts the strongest travel and tourism economy in the world today, according to a report just released by the World Economic Forum.

However, European countries generally dominate the top 10, with six of them among the best, including France, which will be an especially popular destination this summer as Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) takes into account several factors across different categories for its rankings. 

The report's merits focus on countries' tourism sectors, including factors such as airports, ground transportation and ports, natural and cultural resources, safety and security, price competitiveness and openness to tourism.

“The index measures the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable and resilient development of the [travel and tourism] sector, which in turn contributes to a country's development,” the report notes.

One category that helped the United States achieve the top spot is “non-leisure resources,” which is defined by the presence of leading universities, global cities and major corporations. With 429 national park sites and more than 12,000 miles of coastline, the United States also ranked third in natural resources, behind only Australia and Brazil. The country ranked sixth in tourism services and infrastructure.

However, the United States falls short in price competitiveness (number 115) and safety (number 77). Malaysia ranks first in price competitiveness and Singapore in safety.

In the previous 2021 report, Japan topped the list.

Overall Ranking of the Best Countries for Tourism in 2024 According to the World Economic Forum:

1.  United States

2.  Spain

3.  Japan

4.  France

5.  Australia

6.  Germany

7.  United Kingdom

8.  China

9.  Italy

10.  Switzerland