The Top 10 Countries with the “Best Food in the World” for 2025 by Condé Nast Traveler

Food is not only about taste — it reflects culture, creativity, and the spirit of people in each country. Recently, the world-renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, ranking the countries with the best food in the world, based on votes from travelers around the globe.

The results show that Thailand has proudly secured 1st place, truly deserving its reputation as a world-class food destination! In 2nd and 3rd place are Italy and Japan. Let’s take a look at the full list!

1st Place: Thailand (Score 98.33%)

Thailand takes the crown as the country with the best food in the world for 2025, winning overwhelmingly thanks to its incredible variety of flavors — bold, spicy, balanced, and aromatic. From Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Green Curry, to world-famous night-market street food. Moreover, Bangkok boasts 7 restaurants ranked among the “World’s Best Restaurants 2025.”

2nd Place: Italy (Score 96.92%)

3rd Place: Japan (Score 96.77%)

4th Place: Vietnam (Score 96.67%)

5th Place: Spain (Score 95.91%)

6th Place: New Zealand (Score 95.79%)

7th Place: Sri Lanka (Score 95.56%)

8th Place: Greece (Score 95.42%)

9th Place: South Africa (Score 94.76%)

10th Place (tie): Peru & Maldives (Score 94.55%)

• Total Visitors (Jan–Sep 2025): 23.45 million
• Year-on-Year Change: −7.4%
• Tourism Revenue (as of Oct 2025): THB 1.16 trillion
• Confidence Index (Q3 2025): 66 / 100
• Key Challenge: Sharp decline in Chinese arrival

Top 5 Source Markets (Jan–Sep 2025)

1. Malaysia – 4.2 million
2. China – 3.8 million
3. South Korea – 1.6 million
4. India – 1.5 million
5. Russia – 1.3 million

Hotel Outlook

• One-third of hotels report over 30% fewer Chinese guests
• Occupancy rate remains below 70% in major destinations

• Thailand’s tourism sector saw soft demand in Q3 2025, mainly due to fewer Chinese visitors.
• Spending per tourist remains stable, supported by high-value travelers from ASEAN and Europe.
• The government targets 12 million more visitors in Q4 2025, aiming for an additional THB 580 billion in revenue.

• Full-Year Target: 33 million tourists
• Strategic Focus: Market diversification, sustainable tourism, premium traveler experience
• Key Message: “From Recovery to Resilience” — Thailand’s tourism continues rebuilding toward long-term growth.

• Foreign tourist arrivals (Jan 1 – Jun 29, 2025): ~16.61 million, a 4.56% decline year-on-year.
• Cumulative arrivals in H1 2025: ~16.69 million, down 4.66% compared to the same period last year.
• January–May 2025 saw 14.36 million foreign visitors — a 2.7% drop YoY.
• Chinese tourist arrivals declined sharply: down 32.7 – 34% YoY in Q2 and H1.

• China: 2.25 million (Jan–Jun), losing top spot to Malaysia.
• Malaysia: 2.30 million, became Thailand’s leading source market.
• India: By mid-June, over 1 million Indian tourists had visited.
• Europe & Middle East: Significant growth—e.g., Germany +71%, Italy +28%, Saudi Arabia +61%, UAE +51%—helping offset declines.

• Major drop in Chinese arrivals due to:

o Safety concerns (e.g., high-profile abduction near Thailand-Myanmar border).
o External factors like the Myanmar earthquake, intensifying traveler apprehension

• Tourist volume contraction from key Asian markets (China, South Korea, Vietnam) ≥ 17–30%.
• Q2 economic traction also weakened: tourism slowed growth in May—tourist numbers and revenue both fell.

• TAT and analysts revise full-year 2025 arrival forecast downward—from 37.5 million to ~35 million.
• Shift in strategy: focus on high-spending markets—Europe, US, Middle East—and less reliance on China.
• Initiatives launched: “Sawadee Nihao” campaign, charter flights from China, roadshows in Chinese cities to rebuild trust.
• The Government endorses strategy pivot tied to “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025” campaign.

Thailand Tourism Statistics – Q1 2025

Overview

• Total foreign arrivals: 9,549,004 (up 1.91% year-on-year)
• Tourism revenue: 462.75 billion baht (up 10.47% year-on-year)
• Top source markets:

• China – 1,331,434
• Malaysia – 1,153,496
• Russia – 722,202
• India – 543,770
• South Korea – 497,930
• Germany – 341,242
• United Kingdom – 335,116
• United States – 320,631
• Japan – 316,744
• France – 315,116

Challenges

• A 17% average decline in arrivals from key Asian markets (e.g., China, South Korea, Vietnam) due to safety concerns and reduced flight availability.
• Negative factors affecting traveler confidence include:
• The 8.2-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.
• Abductions of Chinese citizens across the Thailand-Myanmar border.
• U.S. tariff hikes disrupting global trade.

Outlook

• The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to adjust market-specific targets while maintaining the overall goal of 39–40 million foreign arrivals in 2025

  

  Key Tourism Statistics for 2024

• Total International Arrivals: From January 1 to December 27, 2024, Thailand recorded 35,047,501 international tourist arrivals, surpassing the government's target.
• Tourism Revenue: These visitors contributed over 1.8 trillion baht (approximately US$ 52.8 billion) to the Thai economy.
• Top Source Countries:

• China: 6.67 million visitors
• Malaysia: 4.90 million
• India: 2.10 million
• South Korea: 1.85 million
• Russia: 1.75 million

Factors Contributing to the Tourism Surge

• Visa Policy Enhancements: Thailand implemented visa exemptions for citizens of 93 countries, allowing stays of up to 60 days, and eliminated TM.6 immigration forms at 16 key border crossings, streamlining entry processes.
• Expanded Air Connectivity: International airlines resumed routes and introduced new ones, increasing total airline seat capacity into Thailand to 47 million in 2024—a 26% rise compared to 2023.
• Cultural Events and Festivals: High-profile events such as the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 and the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 attracted global audiences, enhancing Thailand’s appeal.

Economic Impact

• Tourism accounted for nearly 20% of Thailand’s GDP in 2024, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic-induced downturn.
• The sector's revival played a crucial role in boosting consumer confidence and stimulating economic activity.

Outlook for 2025

• Building on the momentum of 2024, Thailand has designated 2025 as the "Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year."
• Aiming to attract between 36 and 39 million international visitors.
• Generating up to 2.23 trillion baht in tourism revenue