Travel & Tourism Development Index: 92% of economies improve but risks rise

International tourism has moved beyond recovery, with international arrivals and visitor spending now above pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) from the World Economic Forum.

Between the 2024 and 2026 editions, 92% of economies improved their TTDI score, reflecting broad progress in the infrastructure, services, and conditions supporting tourism.

But the Insight Report, produced in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group, highlights a new set of challenges as demand strengthens. Affordability is weakening, investment is struggling to keep pace with demand, and sustainability pressures are becoming more complex, including overcrowding, environmental stress, and the distribution of tourism’s economic benefits.

The sector’s focus is therefore shifting “from recovery to managed growth”. Stronger air transport, accommodation, tourism services, and destination assets have rebuilt the operating base, but destinations now face the challenge of converting demand into resilient, sustainable growth.

The report calls for greater resilience across tourism systems, including stronger connectivity, smarter infrastructure, and workforce development. Its five recommended responses are to diversify activity, protect access and operational continuity, compete on value rather than price, manage growth to maintain community support, and strengthen workforce capacity.

For travel businesses and their partners, the shift highlights the importance of resilience and continuity alongside growth, as destinations adapt to a more complex risk landscape.