Explore the 10 best countries for travel in 2026, from Japan and the U.S. to Italy, based on the World Economic Forum’s latest ranking.
What if your next great trip is hiding in plain sight? Some destinations just give you a holiday. Others stay with you long after you have unpacked your bags.
In Tokyo, a savoury bowl of ramen might stop you in your tracks as a train rumbles past.
On Italy’s Riviera, Trofie Pasta Liguria and chilled white wine might keep you lingering beneath the Mediterranean sun.
Or a mountain peak or lake in Switzerland might simply take your breath away.
Those experiences are not just about what happens once you arrive. Increasingly, they depend on how well a country makes travel possible in the first place.
The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 has ranked the countries best positioned for travel and tourism. The index evaluates everything from transport and tourism infrastructure to safety, business conditions, natural and cultural attractions and sustainability.
The result is a particularly tempting travel wish list.
1. Japan
Japan has long had a reputation for making travellers feel like they’ve stepped into another world. Tokyo delivers neon, sushi and small cocktail bars.
Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital draws with temples, ancient culture and Zen gardens. Osaka brings serious street food. Beyond the big cities lie hot springs, mountain villages and coastlines.
Japan now sits at number one in the TTDI 2026 ranking, having climbed two spots. The country welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025.
Efforts to encourage travellers to explore beyond the famous cities will reveal a lesser-known Japan far richer than just Tokyo.
2. United States
Few countries can match the extensive tourism infrastructure and range of unique attractions and captivating trips across the U.S.
Eat your way through New Orleans, road-trip California’s coast or hike Yosemite. Catch Broadway in New York or disappear into the vastness of the Grand Canyon.
The U.S. took number two spot on the ranking. But a sharp shift in immigration policy suppressed 2025 inbound tourism, keeping numbers under intense pressure throughout 2026.
The attractions still beckon. But a shifting travel climate dictates how global travellers will view and experience the country in the near future.
3. Spain
Spain is the sort of country that makes “just one more day” particularly easy to believe.
There are tapas in Madrid, Gaudí in Barcelona, pintxos in San Sebastián and flamenco in Seville.
Turquoise waters and golden sand stretch along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Add the Balearic and Canary Islands and you have enough reasons to keep returning.
Spain ranks third, cementing its place among the world’s great all-round destinations.
4. Australia
Australia climbs to fourth spot, and it’s not hard to see why. Few countries offer such a dramatic combination of beaches, wildlife, cities, wine regions, reefs and wide-open landscapes.
Spend a morning drinking flat white coffee in Melbourne. Enjoy an afternoon swim at St. Kilda Beach, watching wild penguins waddle ashore as twilight falls.
By the next evening, stargaze across the vast Outback. Australia also recorded one of the stronger improvements in the TTDI index between 2024 and 2026.
Just remember: Australia is a huge continent. “I’ll pop over to Uluru for the same evening” is not always a sensible itinerary.
5. France
France ranks fifth. The country needs little introduction. Paris remains Paris—boulangeries, museums, grand boulevards and impossibly long lunches. But the country becomes even more intriguing once you leave the capital.
There are vineyards in Bordeaux and Burgundy, Mediterranean beaches, Alpine villages, and Atlantic surf.
In France, there is more than enough regional food to make planning a gourmet holiday entirely reasonable.
6. Germany
Germany may not always inspire the same instant holiday fantasies as France or Italy. But spend time there and the case becomes clear.
Munich is the undisputed capital of Bavarian culture—beer halls, brass bands, and dirndl dresses. Berlin brings galleries, nightlife and history. Hamburg has a maritime edge.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber embodies Germany’s ultimate, world-famous fairytale dream. Smaller cities and towns offer castles, forests and excellent regional food.
Germany ranks sixth, supported by its extensive transport and tourism infrastructure.
7. United Kingdom
The UK takes seventh place. The country’s timeless charm endures, reminding the world that this historic country holds fast despite changing demographics.
London alone could occupy a lifetime of weekends. Britain’s pleasures escape London, unfolding into rugged Scottish Highlands, Cornish sands, and villages tailored for Sunday roast and tea.
And yes, the weather is part of the adventure.
8. China
China ranks eighth and is the only emerging economy in the TTDI top 10.
Inside the world’s second most populous nation, ancient cities collide with futuristic skylines across vast, spectacular landscapes.
Meanwhile, the legendary Great Wall and fiery regional cuisines aggressively compete for your attention.
The country has also improved faster than the global average in the latest index, reflecting the continuing development of its tourism sector.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland may be compact, but it packs an extraordinary number of attractions within its borders.
There are glittering lakes, dramatic Alpine peaks, storybook villages, chocolate, cheese and famously efficient trains.
You can wake up beside a lake, take a train through the mountains and finish the day in a city restaurant.
It ranks ninth—and makes a compelling case for slow travel.
10. Italy
Italy rounds out the top 10, although choosing just one reason to visit is practically impossible.
Rome delivers ancient history and aperitivo. Florence has Renaissance masterpieces. Bologna enthralls you over a plate of iconic, fresh egg-based pasta, while Venice draws with its labyrinth of floating culture.
The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terra have those stunning views. And then there are the countless small towns where lunch can accidentally become a half day affair.
Italy ranks tenth, but for travellers, the real takeaway is that the country remains almost absurdly rich in reasons to go.
So, Where Should You Go?
The TTDI ranking isn’t a list of the world’s “best holidays.” Instead, it assesses the broader conditions that make tourism possible and sustainable.
Still, as travel inspiration goes, it makes a pretty excellent starting point.
The 10 best countries for travel in 2026 share one appealing quality. They give travellers plenty of reasons to keep exploring once they arrive.
And that may be the best kind of travel ranking of all.
