Record tourism in Albania: 874 million euros in the first quarter!

Record tourism in Albania: 874 million euros in the first quarter!

Albanien - Tourism has proven to be a decisive engine for the Albanian economy. In the first quarter of 2024, the income from the tourism sector reached a new record. Like RTSH , foreign tourists in Albania spent an impressive 874.36 million euros. This represents an increase of about 11 % compared to the previous year and is even 40 % above the income of the same period in 2023.

Albania has not only positioned itself as a popular destination for ordinary travelers, but also significantly expanded his lead in the recruitment of elite tourists. This tour group is characterized by the fact that it usually spends more money and takes longer stays. The positive influence on the economy is evident, which is also reflected in the net principle of tourism.

positive effects on the economy

The positive net balance of tourism is important for the Albanian economy, especially since the difference between the expenditure of foreign tourists and the expenditure of Albanians abroad is 295.32 million euros. This shows that Albania generates more income in the tourism sector than it spends on trips abroad. This development is also an indicator of the increased interest in Albania as a travel destination.

Another aspect of this positive development is the increase in entry traffic and the strengthening of the tourism sector outside the summer season. These trends are crucial because they help to reduce the dependence of the economy on seasonal income.

long history of development

The development of the Albanian tourism sector shows a remarkable transformation over several years. According to country data there were income from tourism of only 51.29 million euros, which corresponded to about 2.9 % of the gross national product. This dependency has increased drastically by 2022. Before the Corona pandemic in 2019, sales were 2.20 billion euros, which corresponded to 15.77 % of the gross national product.

The decline in income during the 2020 pandemic to 1.09 billion euros represents a drop by 50 % compared to 2019. The average expenditure per tourist in 2022 was around 395 euros, which underlines the importance of tourists for the economy.

Albania is on the right path to further strengthen the tourism sector and to establish itself as an attractive travel destination in southern Europe. A positive signal for the future is the continuing inflow of elite tourists, which is of crucial importance for the country's economy.