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India has moved up nine places to rank 31st globally in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), highlighting the country’s progress across tourism infrastructure, cultural resources and business travel. The latest index evaluates 110 economies on the factors and conditions that support the development of travel and tourism.
India’s improved position comes as the global tourism sector continues to recover and develop. The WEF report highlights India’s cost-competitive travel environment, extensive cultural resources and natural attractions as important strengths. The country is also among the leading economies globally in terms of its number of World Heritage cultural sites.
India Strengthens Tourism Position
The nine-place improvement places India among the economies that recorded notable progress in the latest edition of the index. Improvements in tourism infrastructure, cultural assets and resources supporting business travel have contributed to the country’s higher position.
The broader global tourism landscape has also shown improvement. According to the WEF, 101 of the 110 economies covered by the index improved their scores between 2024 and 2026. The average global score increased by 2.1%, representing the fastest growth in the index since 2019.
India’s tourism sector benefits from a diverse range of destinations, including historical and cultural sites, natural landscapes, beaches, wildlife destinations and pilgrimage centres. Improvements in connectivity and visitor infrastructure are also supporting the development of tourism across different parts of the country.
Tourism Growth Focuses on Long-Term Value
The latest WEF assessment also points to challenges that destinations need to address as international travel expands. Rising travel costs, workforce shortages, infrastructure pressure and environmental concerns are influencing the future development of tourism.
“The next chapter is not simply about attracting more visitors, but it is going to be about creating greater value by investing in people, infrastructure and stronger public-private collaboration so tourism delivers lasting benefits for communities, businesses and destinations,” said Ramya Krishnaswamy, Head of Experience Economy and Cities at the World Economic Forum.
The statement highlights the growing importance of investment in tourism infrastructure, skilled workers and cooperation between governments and businesses. For destinations such as India, these factors can influence how tourism growth translates into wider economic and community benefits.
Global Travel and Tourism Sector Expands
Japan ranked first in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France. Several Asian economies also recorded strong positions or improvements, reflecting the region’s continuing importance to international travel.
The WEF report noted that tourism growth is increasingly linked to the quality of infrastructure, air connectivity, cultural resources and services available to travellers. At the same time, destinations face the challenge of managing growing visitor demand while maintaining affordability, sustainability and adequate infrastructure.
India’s move to 31st in the latest index provides an updated picture of its position in the global travel and tourism sector. The ranking also puts greater focus on the need for continued investment in infrastructure, tourism services, skills and sustainable destination development as the country seeks to strengthen its role in international tourism.
