Pakistan’s position in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), as released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), places it at 101 out of 119 countries. In the Southeast Asian context, it ranks slightly higher than Nepal (105) and Bangladesh (109) but falls significantly behind India (39) and Sri Lanka (76).
The TTDI is part of the WEF’s broader initiative aimed at fostering a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for economies and local communities by collaborating with industry and government stakeholders. Pakistan, categorized as a lower-middle-income economy, falls within the Asia-Pacific regional group.
In the Middle Eastern region, the United Arab Emirates secures the top spot at 18, followed by Saudi Arabia (41), Qatar (53), and Bahrain (81). Globally, the United States leads the list, followed by Spain, Japan, and France. Notably, the top 30 countries account for over 75% of the travel and tourism industry GDP in 2022 and 70% of GDP growth between 2020 and 2022, with the lower half primarily comprising African nations.
Countries at the forefront of the TTDI rankings are recognized for their conducive business environments, liberal travel policies, robust transportation infrastructure, and diverse natural, cultural, and non-leisure attractions.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Shockingly Low Ranking in Global Travel and Tourism List
Developed in partnership with the University of Surrey and with contributions from prominent travel and tourism stakeholders, thought leaders, and data partners, the TTDI evaluates various factors and policies conducive to the sustainable and resilient advancement of travel and tourism. The latest report indicates a global rebound in the travel and tourism sector from the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels in certain cases.
However, despite this positive trajectory, the WEF report highlights challenges facing the industry, including global inflation, conflicts, and environmental concerns like wildfires in tourist destinations
The report also anticipates that geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainties, and potential challenges stemming from artificial intelligence could further impact the travel and tourism industry in the coming years. While developing economies like Pakistan have seen improvements in TTDI scores, there remains a need for significant investment to enhance tourism conditions.
