India bags the 39th position on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development

India has ascended to the 39th position, the highest in South Asia, on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index, marking a significant achievement for the nation. 

This annual report evaluates the factors and policies enabling the sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism (T&T) sectors across 117 economies. Going by the reports, the United States tops the list, followed by Spain, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy and Switzerland (the top 10 countries).

India's leap in the rankings from the 54th position in the 2021 index highlights the country's growing appeal as a global tourist destination and its improving infrastructure to support tourism. Several factors have contributed to India's improved ranking.

The country's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical landmarks have played a crucial role in attracting millions of tourists from around the world. In comparison with 2019, India has still performed well in the travel and tourism sector which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However the country still struggles with the overall Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) score is 2.1% which is lower than in 2019, the reasons being global inflation and supply issues. 

Now that the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and there is an increased demand for travel, global tourist arrivals and the travel and tourism sector's contribution to global GDP are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year. As the world looks forward to a resurgence of international visitors, India stands poised to welcome tourists with its unique blend of tradition, modernity, and unparalleled hospitality.