The World Economic Forum (WEF) says Albania, Tanzania, Indonesia and Egypt are among the most improved countries in enabling tourism and travel development.
In its 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, a report that is published every two years, WEF analysed the competitiveness of tourism economies worldwide.
These countries showed the most improvement in five dimensions:
- Enabling environment – The overall business environment, safety and security, health and hygiene, human resources and ICT readiness.
- Travel and tourism policy and enabling conditions – Enabling conditions for tourism to thrive as well as to what degree a country prioritises travel and tourism, its openness to travel and tourism, and price competitiveness.
- Infrastructure and services – Development of air transport and infrastructure, as well as ground and port infrastructure and tourist services.
- Travel and tourism resources – The availability of natural, cultural and non-leisure resources.
- Travel and tourism sustainability – Conservation efforts and the environmental friendliness of each country’s tourism products.
Tanzania jumped eight spots on the index, from 88 to 81. The improved score is due to Tanzania’s sustainable tourism, with travel and tourism revenue being a major funding source for the conservation of the country’s landscapes and wildlife. Tanzania set a new record in tourist arrivals in 2023, reaching 1,8 million visitors.
Egypt rose from 66 to 61 on the index. The country plans to double its tourist arrivals by 2028. In 2023, it added 14 000 hotel rooms, and there are plans to add 25 000 more rooms this year.
Albania rose 12 spots in the index, from 78 to 66. The tourism development of Albania is now on par with the global average. This improvement is likely owing to Albania’s 141% increase in daily flight traffic since 2019.
Indonesia also saw an impressive climb in the index, reaching 22nd place by jumping 14 spots. The Indonesian government created the Karisma Event Nusantara programme last year to support music, sports and cultural events nationwide. The country has also made an effort to enable medical tourism, and improve the positioning of its hotels and golf courses.
