- World Economic Forum ranked 136 countries in its biennial tourism report
- Countries were rated on strength of hygiene, safety, security and transport links
- European countries scored highly overall but didn't perform well in security rank
Spain has been crowned the world’s most tourist-friendly country in a prestigious biennial report thanks to its cultural and natural offerings, along with its top tourism infrastructure.
Despite the terrorist atrocities that have blighted France in recent years, it defeated its European rivals to take second place, buoyed by its cultural strengths.
Germany took third place, Japan soared into fourth, from ninth in 2015, while the UK retained its fifth place position.
Spain has been crowned the world’s most tourist-friendly country in a prestigious biennial report thanks to its cultural and natural offerings, along with its top tourism infrastructure and airline connectivity
Despite the terrorist atrocities that have blighted France in recent years, it defeated its European rivals to take second place, buoyed by its cultural strengths
The United States claimed the sixth spot, followed by Australia at seventh then Italy, Canada and Switzerland in eighth, ninth and tenth place respectively.
In this year’s report the Geneva-based World Economic Forum ranked 136 countries on factors and policies that influence the travel and tourism sector and contribute to a country’s development and competitiveness.
The report states that the top ten have ‘successfully created an enabling environment for travel and tourism to thrive by facilitating travel to their nation, promoting their natural and cultural heritage, and ensuring rewarding and hopefully unforgettable experiences for their visitors'.
Every two years each country receives a score in categories, from hygiene and information technology to safety and security, with the final rankings being determined by an average.
War-torn Yemen ranked bottom of the report, followed by Chad, Burundi and the Congo.
TOP 10 COUNTRIES
1. Spain
2. France
3. Germany
4. Japan
5. United Kingdom
6. United States
7. Australia
8. Italy
9. Canada
10. Switzerland
Source: World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report
BOTTOM 10 COUNTRIES
127. Cameroon
128. Lesotho
129. Nigeria
130. Mali
131. Sierra Leone
132. Mauritania
133. Congo
134. Burundi
135. Chad
136. Yemen
While the UK maintained its fifth position overall, it only scored 78th in the safety and security section of the report
TOP 10 SAFETY AND SECURITY RANKING
1. Finland 6.65
2. United Arab Emirates 6.60
3. Iceland 6.57
4. Oman 6.49
5. Hong Kong SAR 6.47
6. Singapore 6.45
7. Norway 6.41
8. Switzerland 6.41
9. Rwanda 6.39
10. Qatar 6.33
World Economic Forum 2017
Europe had the strongest travel and tourism competitiveness in the world, welcoming 1.2billion international visitors in 2016. Its advantage is attributed to strong health and hygiene standards, cultural richness and safety.
Japan topped the list of the most improved countries followed by Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. Japan was rated highly due its unique cultural appeal and it was noted that it’s excellent for business travel.
The report found that outbound travel from Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific is expected to boom in the coming decade.
In the safety and security section of the report, the United Kingdom languishes in 78th place below and the United States limped in at 84th.
Finland was rated the safest tourist destination on Earth, followed by the United Arab Emirates in second place and then Iceland in third.
Oman took fourth place, followed closely by Hong Kong, Singapore and Norway in fifth, sixth and seventh place respectively.
Switzerland scored eighth, Rwanda soared to ninth and Qatar rounded out the top ten.
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