Remarkable Progress in Global Tourism Ranking
In a significant leap forward, Morocco has ascended seven positions in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index for 2026, now securing the 70th spot out of 110 economies. This remarkable improvement, which reflects Morocco's commitment to enhancing its tourism sector, marks one of the most substantial advancements observed globally. The Kingdom achieved a score of 3.84 out of a possible 7, representing a 5.5% increase from its recalibrated score in 2024. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it surpasses the global average growth of 2.1%, positioning Morocco among the ten fastest-improving economies in the latest ranking. Other countries that have also shown remarkable progress include Albania, Vietnam, Qatar, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Factors Contributing to Morocco's Tourism Growth
The Travel & Tourism Development Index is designed to assess the conditions conducive to sustainable tourism development rather than merely focusing on the number of visitors or the financial revenue generated from tourism. The index is based on 17 key pillars, which encompass vital areas such as air connectivity, tourism infrastructure, cultural and natural resources, digital readiness, price competitiveness, safety, and environmental sustainability. Morocco’s rise in the rankings coincides with the broader trend observed in the Middle East and North Africa region, where substantial progress has been made, with an average score increase of 2.5% from 2024 to 2026. The World Economic Forum has particularly noted advancements in cultural resources, tourism services, infrastructure, and the sustainability of demand as key areas of progress for the region.
It is essential to acknowledge that comparisons with previously published rankings should use the historical figures that have been recalculated for the 2026 edition. This is due to variations in data, methodology, and country coverage that can impact previous standings. Under the revised metrics, Morocco's performance reflects a seven-place gain from its 2024 ranking and a one-place improvement since 2019. On a global scale, Japan has claimed the top spot in the 2026 index, followed closely by the United States, Spain, Australia, and France. Impressively, 92% of the ranked economies have enhanced their scores over the last two years, underscoring a robust recovery and growth in the global tourism sector.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
