World's top tourism rank brings crowds to Kyoto and Tokyo and lodging taxes

Japan has taken first place in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index for 2026, putting it ahead of every other country for travel and tourism. The ranking follows a year in which Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors.

Key facts

• No 1: Japan in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index
• Japan climbed two places compared with last year's ranking, as did Australia
• Japan received a record 42.7 million international visitors last year
• International tourist arrivals worldwide reached a record 1.5 billion in 2025
• Overcrowding and noise pollution have been reported in popular cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo

Which countries are in the top ten?

After Japan, the index places the United States at No 2 and Spain at No 3. Australia is No 4, followed by France at No 5 and Germany at No 6.

The rest of the top ten is the United Kingdom at No 7, China at No 8, Switzerland at No 9 and Italy at No 10.

How were countries assessed?

The World Economic Forum structures its index around 17 key pillars, including safety and security, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, cultural resources and tourist services. The index found that cultural resources saw the biggest increase in interest between 2024 and 2026, underlining how much cultural activities matter to travellers choosing where to visit.

The World Economic Forum also reported that international tourist arrivals worldwide hit a record 1.5 billion in 2025. Japan and Australia both moved up two places in the ranking, which the index associates with strong demand for travel within the Asia-Pacific region.

What are the downsides of the tourism boom?

The record visitor numbers have brought drawbacks, including overcrowding and noise pollution in popular cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo. The Japan National Tourism Organization has been working to draw travellers to regional destinations beyond the country's major cities, in order to distribute the impacts of tourism more evenly.

A new lodging tax has also been introduced in certain cities, including Kyoto. The source does not give the amount of the tax or a full list of the cities where it applies.

What this means for travellers

Travellers heading to Japan's best-known cities should plan for busy conditions in places such as Kyoto and Tokyo, and should check whether a lodging tax applies where they are staying. Those open to visiting regional destinations beyond the major cities may find a different experience, in line with the push being promoted by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index is published annually; Japan's placing next year will show whether it holds the top spot.