CNN —
The United States has received the great honor of being named the best country in the world for travel and tourism in 2024 by the World Economic Forum.
The rankings are determined by a wide range of criteria, including infrastructure, natural resources, sustainability, labor availability and, since we’re talking about the Global Economic Fund, competitive pricing.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the WEF data focuses on tourism, including businesses like hotels, airports, attractions, and airlines, not just what travelers on the ground look like.
Six of the top 10 countries on the list are in Europe, with Spain receiving the highest rating overall. The report calls the continent “a resilient destination with strong intra-regional travel flows” and gives it high marks for rail connectivity. It also recognizes its strong economy, the good standing of the euro and pound, and the likelihood that Europeans will travel (i.e. spend money).
It’s no surprise that France came in fourth overall, knowing that the world’s attention will be on them ahead of this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris.
Another factor that is taken into account is the power of many European passports. Every year, the Henley Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world, and that data is included in the WEF report. In 2024, six countries share the number one spot: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain. Five of these countries are ranked in the WEF top 10, with Singapore coming in at a respectable 13th place.
Yongyuan Dai/E+/Getty Images
Shanghai, pictured here, is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations.
“Global tourism growth is expected to strengthen in 2024, driven by growth in key Asian markets as potential demand continues to be met following a slower lifting of travel restrictions compared to other regions,” the report said.
That certainly feels true in Japan, the third-largest country this year, which has experienced a tourism boom since reopening after the pandemic: More than three million foreign tourists are expected to visit Japan per month in March and April 2024, with even more expected to arrive over the upcoming summer holidays.
Meanwhile, China, ranked eighth, has taken steps in recent months to make it easier for tourists to visit, and in March it lifted visa requirements for residents of several European countries, including Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
It’s also now easier than ever for Americans to visit China, as they no longer need to provide proof of a travel itinerary or hotel reservations to obtain a travel visa.
The United States is the only North American country to make it into the top 10, while neighbouring Canada just drops off the charts at number 11.
The WEF said the US was a “mature” tourism market, meaning it already had the infrastructure in place to welcome tourists, including airline connections between cities and local support like tour guides, car rentals, hotel rooms and maps.
The United States stands out for its size and scope. It has a huge variety of things to offer to travelers, from national parks to big cities to amazing beaches.
But amid the praise comes one caveat: The report said the U.S. could face a tourism labor shortage. Like many places around the world, the pandemic has played a big role in driving people out of the hospitality industry to work elsewhere.
Julian Birch/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images
Australia is renowned for its diverse tourism resources, such as the world-famous Bondi Beach (pictured).
Looking at the list of the most popular countries for tourists, it seems necessary to acknowledge that some regions are suffering from too many tourists. The United States (ranked 1st) and China have the advantage of being large and have more space, which helps to spread out the flow of visitors.
But not all of the top 10 destinations are so lucky: In second-placed Spain, Barcelona voted to move cruise ships away from the city center, and residents of the Canary Islands have taken to the streets to protest against overtourism, even threatening hunger strikes.
Italy, ranked ninth, is also struggling to balance a booming tourism market with the needs of its local communities.
Venice began charging a “tourist tax” entrance fee last month, while the northern region of Bolzano in South Tyrol is capping hotel capacity and only allowing new hotels to open if others have closed.
leonovo/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
Spain was the highest-ranked European country on the WEF list.
1. United States
2. Spain
3. Japan
4. France
5. Australia
6. Germany
7. United Kingdom
8. China
9. Italy
10. Switzerland
