TOP 10 most competitive countries in the travel and tourism sector, 2021

Spain, France and Germany are the top 3 most competitive countries globally in the travel and tourism sector, according to recent data. Although the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the above economies as their tourism sector was hard hit, it is a matter of time to recover and regain their old glory.

Spain is a market that attracts a large number of tourists. Of course, because of the pandemic, the country suffered a great blow. Spain also remains outside the UK “green” list, which only includes countries that are no longer subject to restrictions such as testing or quarantine on return. Spain received 490,088 foreign tourists in March, down from just over two million in March 2020, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). Compared to pre-pandemic March 2019, the number was down more than 90%, but it was however higher than the 284,000 tourists registered in February.

Paris, once accustomed to a record number of tourists, welcomed in 2020 about 33.1 million fewer tourists than the previous year. Last year, like all destinations, it was hit by the unprecedented crash of demand and the general implementation of travel restrictions. The Louvre Museum and the Versailles area also saw a drop in visitors at about 72% and 76% respectively.

The main characteristic of the decline in tourism in Germany after the outbreak of the pandemic is the reduction of bookings in hotels and rooms for rent. In fact, bookings for tourist accommodation spots fell by 80% in the first quarter of 2021. Four out of ten owners of tourist accommodation spots say they can hardly afford the costs.

Japan and the United States complete the top 5 most competitive countries in travel and tourism. Tokyo was about to host the Olympic Games but was delayed by a year due to the pandemic. Now, are set to open on 23 July. However, a recent survey showed that 60% of Japanese people want the Games to be cancelled. If this happens, Japan will lose a large number of visitors, vital for the country’s recovery in the tourism sector. In 2020 72% of Americans didn’t take a summer vacation. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, left the U.S. travel industry’s employment rates and economic output severely impaired. In 2019, the number of international tourist arrivals to the U.S. reached 80 million after being on the rise for over a decade.

United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Canada and Switzerland complete the top 10 most competitive countries in travel and tourism sector.

The contribution of tourism to the British economy is £106 billion. The tourism sector in the United Kingdom supports 2.6 million jobs. United Kingdom’s tourism industry will worth over £257 billion by 2025. Also, job positions in the industry will increase by 2025. Tourism is an important part of Australia’s economy. In 2019, tourism in Australia accounted for 3.1% of the national GDP, contributing $60.8 billion to the Australian economy. Now, the sector is in need for drastic measures from the government in order to get through the pandemic.

With more than 90 million tourists per year Italy is one of the most visited countries in international tourism arrivals. It is a country with a long history, good cuisine and significant performance in fashion and arts. In 2019 tourism sector was for Canada number one service export, generating $105 billion in revenue, and accounting for 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs in Canada. Unfortunately, nowadays Canada’s tourism sector is hardly hit by Covid-19. Switzerland has much to offer to visitors. The tourism sector is one of the main components of the Swiss economy. According to data, every tourist who arrived in the country in 2019 spent on average 1,575 US dollars.\

TOP 10 most competitive countries in the travel and tourism sector, 2021

1. Spain
2. France
3. Germany
4. Japan
5. The United States
6. The United Kingdom
7. Australia
8. Italy
9. Canada
10. Switzerland