Sri Lanka among top 10 global risers in Travel and Tourism Development Index
The Morning: Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for the fastest improvement in the Travel and Tourism Development Index between 2024 and 2026, according to the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Sri Lanka has been ranked 10th on the list, with its Travel and Tourism Development Index score increasing by 4.33% in 2026 compared to 2024. Albania ranked first, recording a 7.0% increase in its index score.
Vietnam and Laos ranked second and third, respectively, with increases of 6.3% and 6.1% in their index scores.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s improving position in the global tourism sector is creating a wider range of business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses and investors as the industry moves beyond traditional hotel development towards a broader tourism economy. With Sri Lanka recording one of the fastest improvements in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, investor interest could increasingly extend to hotels and resorts, boutique accommodation, wellness and medical tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism and destination management. There is also growing potential in tourism-linked services such as transport and mobility, cruise tourism, marinas, travel technology, digital booking platforms, food and beverage, entertainment and recreational facilities. Businesses/investors could also find opportunities in developing integrated tourism destinations outside the established Colombo, southern and central tourism corridors. The country’s diverse coastline, wildlife, cultural heritage and relatively compact geography provide opportunities for international operators to develop specialised tourism products targeting higher-spending visitors and niche markets. For foreign investors, partnerships with local businesses could provide a route into the market while bringing international hotel brands, management expertise, technology and global marketing networks into Sri Lanka. As visitor numbers and tourism-related spending expand, the sector is likely to generate opportunities not only in accommodation but across a wider ecosystem of businesses supporting the tourism value chain.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261006Z_2 |