Pakistan has improved its ranking in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel & Tourism Development Index for 2024, moving up to 101st place. This is a significant improvement of 20 positions compared to its ranking in 2019. The country’s overall score in the index is 3.41 out of 7, which represents a 3.6% increase over the past five years.
Pakistan is categorized as a lower-middle-income economy and is part of the Asia-Pacific regional group in the index. This region performed well overall, with 10 out of the 19 economies in the group scoring above the average. Additionally, 11 economies in the Asia-Pacific region have shown better scores since 2019.
For the year 2024, the countries that ranked the highest in the index are the United States, Spain, Japan, France, and Australia. These countries are recognized for their strong travel and tourism sectors.
The report also highlighted that the Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals, surpassing 2019 levels by 20%. Other regions like Europe, Africa, and the Americas also showed strong recovery, with international tourist arrivals reaching around 90% of what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023.
Amir Jahangir, the Chief Executive Officer of Mishal Pakistan, which is the Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum, remarked that Pakistan’s improved scores reflect the significant efforts made by various institutions in the country.
