Sri Lanka has been ranked among the world’s 10 fastest-improving travel and tourism economies in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), reflecting improvements in the country’s tourism competitiveness.
According to the latest index, Sri Lanka’s TTDI score increased by 4.3% between 2024 and 2026, placing the country 10th among the economies that recorded the largest improvements during the period.
Albania topped the rankings with a 7% increase, followed by Viet Nam at 6.3%, Laos at 6.1%, Qatar at 6%, Malaysia at 5.8%, Thailand at 5.6%, and the Philippines and Morocco at 5.5% each. Nepal ranked ninth with a 5.1% improvement, while Sri Lanka secured the 10th position.
The World Economic Forum noted that emerging tourism destinations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East and North Africa regions, are strengthening their competitiveness at a faster pace than many established markets.
The report also found that 92% of the 110 economies assessed improved their TTDI scores compared with 2024, while the global average score rose by 2%.
The index measures tourism competitiveness across 17 pillars, covering areas such as infrastructure, air connectivity, cultural and natural resources, enabling conditions and sustainability.
Japan secured the top position among the world’s travel and tourism economies in 2026, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France.
The findings come amid continued growth in international travel following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Economic Forum, global international tourist arrivals reached a record 1.5 billion in 2025.
