Albania’s tourism sector is currently experiencing its most successful year to date in 2023. The latest data released by the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) reveal a remarkable 33% increase in foreign nationals visiting the country during the first six months, totaling around 3.4 million visitors.
June alone saw over 1 million foreign tourists, marking a significant 15% surge compared to the same period in the previous year. These record-breaking figures apply both to the entire six-month period and the month of June.
INSTAT reported that “in June 2023, a total of 1,581,731 Albanian and foreign nationals arrived in Albania, showing a 16.3% increase compared to June 2022. Departures of Albanian and foreign nationals from Albania during June 2023 reached 1,490,810, indicating an 18.0% rise from the same period last year.
Throughout June 2023, 574,698 Albanian nationals entered the country, reflecting an 18.9% increase from June 2022. The number of foreign nationals visiting Albania during this month was 1,007,033, representing a 15.0% growth compared to June 2022.
For the entire first half of 2023, the total number of foreign nationals arriving in Albania reached 3,396,932, showcasing a 33.0% increase compared to the same period in 2022,” as stated by INSTAT.
Tourism operators are delighted, asserting that this year stands as Albania’s finest in terms of tourist influx, surpassing the previous year’s record-breaking visitor numbers. The majority of tourists hail from Europe, attracted not only by Albania’s promotional efforts but also by the country’s affordability.
Organized tourism, particularly in Durrës, is predominantly driven by Polish, Czech, and Nordic tourists. Additionally, Spain has emerged as a new player in the organized tourism sector for the region. Meanwhile, the coastal areas have experienced a growing interest from Italian, Spanish, and English tourists.
According to INSTAT, in June 2023, Europe recorded the highest number of foreign nationals entering Albania, totaling 954,389 visitors. Following Europe, America, East Asia, and the Pacific regions recorded 30,082 and 8,971 visitors, respectively.
Comparing June 2023 to June 2022, foreign arrivals increased by:
- 14.6% for personal reasons
- 12.8% for vacation, visiting relatives, etc.
- 59.0% for business and professional purposes
Regarding departures:
- 576,383 Albanian nationals left Albania in June 2023, marking a 15.5% increase from June 2022.
- 914,427 foreign nationals left the country in June 2023, showcasing a 19.7% increase from June 2022.
During the first half of 2023, a total of 3,024,102 Albanian nationals departed Albania, reflecting a notable 20.0% increase from the same period in the previous year, according to INSTAT.
