India has risen to 39th position on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, ranking first in South Asia and among lower-middle-income nations. The country is highly price-competitive and has a competitive ground and port infrastructure. India’s robust Natural, Cultural, and Non-Leisure Resources boost travel. However, the country’s total TTDI score is 2.1% lower than in 2019. The index is led by high-income economies in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
As global tourist activities have returned to pre-pandemic levels, India has moved to 39th position on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & tourist Development Index 2024, according to the annual study released on Tuesday. India is placed first in South Asia and among lower-middle-income nations, according to the WEF, even though the US topped the list.
India placed 54th in the previously released ranking for 2021; however, the index’s comparability to prior years was limited due to modifications made to its standards.
Following the United States, the top five rankings for 2024 are Spain, Japan, France, and Australia.
India is very price-competitive (18th) according to the index, which was created in partnership with the University of Surrey. It also has competitive ground and port (25th) and air transport (26th) infrastructure.
Travel is boosted, in particular, by India’s robust Natural (6th), Cultural (9th), and Non-Leisure (9th) Resources; according to the WEF, the nation is only one of three to rank in the top 10 for every resource pillar.
Furthermore, the nation continues to score well for the sustainability of travel and tourism demand, even if it is less than in 2019. This is mostly because incoming tourists are staying longer and more sustainably.
It went on to say that, similar to many other economies, India’s travel and tourism-enabling conditions have been negatively impacted by global inflationary supply-side trends for the industry. As a result, price competitiveness has declined, and the infrastructure supporting air travel and tourist services has not yet recovered to 2019 levels.
Also Read: EU to Hike Schengen Visa Fees by 12% in June 2024
Therefore, the nation’s total TTDI (Travel and Tourism Development Index) score is 2.1% lower than it was in 2019.
The index was led by high-income economies in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
“International tourist arrivals and the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to global GDP are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions and strong pent-up demand,” the World Economic Forum said.
International visitor arrivals recovered most quickly in the Middle East (20% over 2019 levels), while the Americas, Europe, and Africa all had robust recoveries of around 90% in 2023.
The 119 nations’ travel and tourism industries were examined by the biannual index using a variety of criteria and regulations.
Germany came in at number six, with the UK, China, Italy, and Switzerland rounding out the top 10.
Strong transportation and tourist infrastructure, dynamic labor markets, open travel rules, well-developed natural, cultural, and non-leisure attractions, and favorable business and tourism environments all contributed to this.
Check Latest Stories:
