USA Drops to Second in Global Travel Tourism Development Index, Japan Takes Top Spot
The United States has fallen to second place in the latest Travel & Tourism Development Index, with Japan ascending to the top position. This shift marks a significant change from previous rankings, where the USA held the leading spot. According to Ramya Krishnaswamy, head of experience economy and cities at the World Economic Forum, the overall conditions for travel and tourism are at their strongest since 2024, with 92% of economies showing improvement. Japan's success is attributed to its strategy of expanding its visitor base and encouraging exploration beyond major tourism centers, which helps reduce overcrowding. The report indicates that America's decline is linked to ongoing tariffs and negative rhetoric, which have deterred international travelers. The top 10 countries for travel and tourism are now Japan, USA, Spain, Australia, France, Germany, UK, China, Switzerland, and Italy. Australia also saw an improvement, moving from sixth to fourth place, while China maintained its eighth position, outpa...