The first half of 2023 has witnessed a historic surge in revenue generated by foreign visitors to Albania.

Conversely, Albanian nationals’ spending abroad has also reached unprecedented levels.

Data from the Bank of Albania’s balance of payments indicates that, during the initial six months of 2023, expenditures by foreign tourists in Albania reached a total of 1.55 billion euros. This marks the highest figure ever recorded since the 1990s, underscoring Albania’s resurgence as a sought-after tourist destination this year. Foreign tourists’ expenditures have surged by 37% compared to the same period in the previous year.

In the second quarter alone, foreign expenditures amounted to 930 million euros, reflecting a nearly 30% increase compared to the corresponding period the previous year.

Additional statistics from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) reveal that between January and June, the number of foreign nationals entering Albanian territory reached 3,396,932, signifying a 33% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

The Ministry of Tourism reports that patriotic tourism continues to dominate, primarily fueled by Kosovar Albanians, constituting 40% of the total. Over the first six months of the year, more than 1.38 million visitors from Kosovo entered Albania, marking a 43% increase compared to the same period last year.

Italians rank second, with 310,000 visitors from the neighboring country, achieving a record for the first half-year. Italians account for 9% of the total. The data also shows that North Macedonia and Montenegro hold the third and fourth positions, respectively. Albanian diaspora communities have also been a prominent group in recent years.

However, the influx of foreigners to Albania is matched by a growing number of Albanians opting to travel abroad. According to the Bank of Albania, Albanians; spending on overseas trips during the first six months of the year totaled 977 million euros, reflecting a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Additional INSTAT data reveals that the number of Albanian citizens exiting Albania during the first half of 2023 was 3,024,102, representing a 20% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

Notably, Albania retains a surplus of 794 million euros from tourism, despite Albanian nationals increasing their spending abroad. This marks the highest surplus ever recorded and indicates a positive trend since 2015, where Albania consistently maintains a favorable travel balance, witnessing annual growth.