World Economic Forum Announces Top Most Competitive Countries in Travel and Tourism Sector

With travel being a huge industry, the World Economic Forum along with Booz Allen Hamilton released its first ever international report on travel and tourism competitiveness.  The report explores the travel and tourism sector as a driver of economic and social prosperity.

From their study, Switzerland scored highest in the rankings that covered 124 countries in total.  The study measured 52 variables that impact a country’s appeal in developing travel and tourism.  These variables included the statutory regulatory framework, health and safety, infrastructure, local price levels, and aspects relating to the environment and culture.

The writer’s of the report strongly suggested that the study is not a ‘beauty contest’ or a statement about the attractiveness of a country.  The study aimed to measure the factors that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism industry of individual countries.

The top twenty countries ranked as follows:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Austria
  3. Germany
  4. Iceland
  5. United States
  6. Hong Kong
  7. Canada
  8. Singapore
  9. Luxembourg
  10. United Kingdom
  11. Denmark
  12. France
  13. Australia
  14. New Zealand
  15. Spain
  16. Finland
  17. Sweden
  18. United Arab Emirates
  19. Netherlands
  20. Cyprus

Due to well-developed infrastructures, assured statutory framework conditions, and high levels of education, industrialized nations rank higher overall in the index than emerging ones. Only five of the top 20 countries ranked are outside of Europe and North America. For these nations, key levers for optimizing their competitiveness include increased deregulation, liberalization, and environmentally sustainable tourism.

It is hoped that by showing the full economic impact of the sector will enhance travel and tourism’s relevance for policy makers. 

Source: World Economic Forum

Posted by on 03/05 at 01:04 PM

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