The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism ranking revealed that Spain is the world’s most travel-ready nation, followed by France, Germany, Japan and the United States.
The rankings have not altered much since the last version was shared two years ago, aside for the United Kingdom dropping to sixth spot and ranking below the United States.
According to the World Economic Forum, Spain has sat at the top of the ranking since 2015 as a result of its many natural and cultural resources. This includes its lively cities and striking beaches, as well as a cultural programme that covers a wide variety – from medieval festivals to contemporary art.
Spain’s ranking is also aided by its infrastructure, which is a particularly important measure taken into account – and this is no surprise, seeing as the country has forked out millions of euros over the past decade, dedicated towards improving roads, railways and airports.
The tourism industry currently generates 5% for Spain’s GDP, which is expected to increase further over the coming decade due to growth in the global middle class, especially in Asia.
The global travel industry has grown massively since the last report was issued in 2017, and it is forecast to contribute 50% more to GDP over the next ten years. Currently, it makes up 10% of global GDP. With that said, infrastructure directed towards tourism, such as the bettering of roads, ports, airports and hotel accommodation, has only expanded by 1.4%.
Christoph Wolff, Head of Mobility at the World Economic Forum, said: “As international connectedness continues to rise, we see travel and tourism competitiveness continue to grow. Increased tourism is bringing great benefits to many economies but must be managed properly by both policymakers and businesses for a sustainable future.”
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