India has significantly improved its position in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 by moving up to the 39th place. This improvement can be attributed to the increasing global tourism activities and returning to pre-pandemic level. The index, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), recognised India as the best place in South Asia and among the lower-middle-income economies. The US grabbed the top position, followed by Spain, Japan, France and Australia.
Key highlights
- The index has been prepared in collaboration with the University of Surrey, England.
- India was in the 54th position in the index in 2021.
- Despite a pandemic-induced decline, the country performed well on the index. Due to different favourable factors, India appealed to travel enthusiasts globally.
- The high influx of tourists not only contributes to the national economy but also improves the local economy, besides creating employment opportunities.
- India’s strengths identified by the index:
- India is ranked 18th in price competitiveness, indicating high affordability for tourists.
- It is ranked 26th in air transport infrastructure, highlighting quality air transport services.
- It is ranked 25th in ground/port infrastructure, highlighting robust ground and port transportation.
- It is ranked 6th in natural resources, indicating rich natural sites.
- It is ranked 9th in cultural resources, highlighting its vast cultural heritage.
- It is ranked 9th in non-leisure resources, highlighting the country’s diverse attractions and convincing tourists to choose India.
About Travel & Tourism Development Index
- The Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), which replaced the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, is prepared by the World Economic Forum (WEF) which takes into account the policies and factors affecting the travel and tourism industry in different countries.
- It considers different factors, including the business environment, safety and security, health and hygiene, human resources, and the long-term health of the climate. These factors play a key role in tourists’ decisions about choosing a country to spend their vacation.
- It is a biennial index, published once in two years.
