September 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-improving travel and tourism markets, securing a place among the 10 countries that recorded the strongest gains in the latest Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI).
The country was placed 10th globally in the 2026 edition of the index published by the World Economic Forum, with its overall TTDI score rising by 4.33 per cent compared with its 2024 performance.
The improvement highlights the continued strengthening of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, with the country making progress across factors that contribute to the development and competitiveness of the travel industry.
Albania recorded the largest improvement over the two-year period, increasing its index score by 7 per cent. Vietnam followed in second place with a 6.3 per cent rise, while Laos secured third position after registering a 6.1 per cent increase.
Sri Lanka’s inclusion in the top 10 comes as the island continues to seek greater international recognition as a tourism destination. The latest TTDI results indicate that the country has made measurable progress since the previous assessment, potentially providing further momentum for the sector as it works to attract visitors and strengthen its contribution to the wider economy.