Sri Lanka Named Among the World’s 10 Fastest-Improving Tourism Economies in WEF 2026 Index
AI-generated illustration of international travellers at a scenic Sri Lankan coastal viewpoint. Image: eLanka.
Sri Lanka has been recognised among the world’s 10 fastest-improving travel and tourism economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), a development that places the country within an important group of emerging markets that are strengthening their competitiveness as international tourism continues to expand.
According to a report published by Newswire on 27 September 2026, Sri Lanka recorded a 4.3 per cent improvement in its TTDI score between 2024 and 2026, placing it tenth among the economies that achieved the largest gains during the period. The result does not represent an absolute global ranking of tourism performance; rather, it measures the pace at which each economy improved its overall travel and tourism competitiveness.
For Sri Lanka, the finding offers a constructive indication that progress is being recorded across the systems, facilities, resources and enabling conditions that support the visitor economy, while also highlighting the considerable opportunity that remains for further advancement.
Sri Lanka completes the list of fastest improvers
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 index identified the following 10 economies as the fastest improvers between 2024 and 2026:
- Albania – 7.0 per cent
- Viet Nam – 6.3 per cent
- Laos – 6.1 per cent
- Qatar – 6.0 per cent
- Malaysia – 5.8 per cent
- Thailand – 5.6 per cent
- The Philippines – 5.5 per cent
- Morocco – 5.5 per cent
- Nepal – 5.1 per cent
- Sri Lanka – 4.3 per cent
Sri Lanka’s position alongside countries such as Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Nepal is particularly significant because many of these economies have been investing steadily in visitor infrastructure, digital services, air connectivity, cultural presentation and sustainable tourism development.
The result also places Sri Lanka within a broader pattern identified by the World Economic Forum, which observed that emerging tourism markets, especially those in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East and North Africa regions, were improving their competitiveness more rapidly than many established destinations.
AI-generated illustration showing the relationship between sustainable visitor facilities, cultural landscapes and Sri Lanka’s natural environment. Image: eLanka.
A broad-based global improvement
The 2026 TTDI assessed 110 economies, and the World Economic Forum reported that 92 per cent of them improved their scores compared with 2024. The global average increased by approximately 2 per cent, indicating that travel and tourism conditions have continued to recover and develop following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The index examines tourism competitiveness through 17 pillars, covering a wide range of factors that influence the quality, resilience and sustainability of a destination. These include tourism infrastructure, air connectivity, cultural resources, natural resources, enabling conditions, business conditions, safety, health, workforce readiness and environmental sustainability.
Such a comprehensive framework is important because a destination’s tourism performance cannot be assessed solely by visitor numbers or the attractiveness of its landscapes. The quality of roads, airports, accommodation, public services, digital systems, heritage management and environmental safeguards is equally instrumental in determining whether tourism growth can be sustained over the long term.
Sri Lanka possesses a particularly diverse foundation on which to build, with ancient cities, historic religious sites, a distinctive culinary tradition, globally recognised wildlife, beaches, highland landscapes and a rich calendar of cultural celebrations. The country’s ability to convert these assets into well-managed, accessible and sustainable visitor experiences will remain central to future improvement.
Japan leads the overall 2026 index
While Sri Lanka was recognised for the pace of its improvement, the overall TTDI ranking was led by Japan, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France.
These leading economies benefit from extensive transport systems, mature tourism industries, substantial investment capacity and strong international connectivity. Their continued presence near the top of the index demonstrates that competitiveness depends upon a combination of natural and cultural appeal, institutional strength, infrastructure quality and the ability to respond to changing visitor expectations.
The comparison also provides a useful benchmark for Sri Lanka. The country’s progress is encouraging, but further investment in visitor facilities, professional training, transport connections, destination management and environmental protection would help convert recent improvement into durable international competitiveness.
The TTDI therefore offers two messages at once: Sri Lanka is moving in a positive direction, and additional work is required if that momentum is to be maintained.
Post-pandemic tourism reaches a new global milestone
The World Economic Forum’s findings have been released during a period of renewed expansion in international travel. Global tourism recorded 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2025, representing a new post-pandemic milestone and confirming the strength of demand for international experiences.
For Sri Lanka, this global recovery creates an opportunity to attract visitors who are seeking more than conventional resort holidays. The country can offer a combination of history, religious heritage, wildlife, wellness, cuisine, adventure and community-based experiences within a relatively compact geographical area.
The continuing growth of international tourism may also support a wider range of Sri Lankan enterprises, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies, artisans, guides, event organisers and small businesses located beyond the traditional visitor centres.
The benefits, however, will be strongest when tourism growth is distributed responsibly. Local communities should be able to participate in and benefit from tourism activity, while fragile ecosystems and heritage locations should be protected from excessive pressure. An improvement in competitiveness should therefore be understood not only as an invitation to welcome more visitors, but also as an incentive to improve the quality and sustainability of the overall tourism experience.
What the result means for the global Sri Lankan community
For Sri Lankans living in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and other countries, the ranking provides a positive indication of the country’s strengthening international profile.
Families planning a return to Sri Lanka may find an increasingly diverse range of experiences available across the island, from heritage and religious journeys to wildlife excursions, coastal stays, hill-country visits and food-focused itineraries. Sri Lankan expatriates may also contribute to tourism development by encouraging friends, colleagues and extended family members overseas to experience the country in a respectful and locally beneficial manner.
The recognition may be particularly valuable for businesses seeking to present Sri Lanka as a destination with a broad and improving tourism proposition. A more competitive visitor economy can create opportunities for accommodation providers, travel specialists, wedding planners, cultural organisations and community enterprises, provided that services are delivered with consistency, transparency and professional care.
eLanka continues to support connection among Sri Lankans worldwide through its online community platform, where news, business information, community events and positive stories can be shared with readers in Australia and internationally. Information about upcoming community activities can also help visitors and returning Sri Lankans remain connected with events taking place during their time in the country.
AI-generated illustration representing the connection between Sri Lanka and the global Sri Lankan community. Image: eLanka.
Improvement is encouraging, but not the final measure
The distinction between improvement and absolute performance remains important. Sri Lanka’s 4.3 per cent increase demonstrates that progress has been made since 2024, but it does not mean that the country has surpassed all established tourism destinations or that every aspect of the visitor experience is operating at an advanced level.
The index should instead be viewed as a valuable indicator of momentum. It confirms that Sri Lanka is moving in the right direction while drawing attention to the need for continued work in infrastructure, skills, connectivity, sustainability and destination management.
With careful planning, consistent standards and stronger cooperation between public institutions, private businesses and local communities, the country’s natural and cultural assets can be developed without compromising their long-term value. Such an approach would enable Sri Lanka to build upon its recent progress and establish a more resilient tourism economy.
Sri Lanka’s inclusion among the world’s 10 fastest-improving tourism economies is therefore a welcome achievement and a timely reminder of the country’s untapped potential. As international travel continues to recover, the result provides encouragement for visitors, the tourism industry and the global Sri Lankan community, while establishing a clear foundation for the next stage of development.
Source: https://www.newswire.lk/2026/09/27/sri-lanka-among-worlds-fastest-improving-tourism-economies-wef/
World Economic Forum reference: https://www.weforum.org/publications/travel-tourism-development-index-2026/
This article was written based on the source https://www.newswire.lk/2026/09/27/sri-lanka-among-worlds-fastest-improving-tourism-economies-wef/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
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