Italian tourists have emerged as the second-largest group of visitors to Albania this year, with around 660,000 arrivals recorded by the end of August.

In comparison to the previous year, the number of Italian tourists exploring Albania surged by 50% from January to August, constituting 9.1% of the overall visitors.

Official data from the Ministry of Tourism reveals that only neighboring Kosovo surpasses Italians in terms of visitor numbers to Albania. Kosovar visitors accounted for 40% of the total tourists in August, with a figure of 2.93 million, marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, historically popular tourist groups, such as Greeks, North Macedonians, and Montenegrins, including emigrants or Albanians from these regions, follow Italians.

More specifically, 511,000 visitors arrived from North Macedonia until August, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year. The rate for Greek visitors during the first eight months of 2023 increased by 39%. At least 450,000 citizens entered from Greece.

Significant increases in tourist numbers were observed among Germans, Spaniards, and also from Turkey.

The uptick in Spanish tourist numbers coincides with a rise in organized tourism, primarily facilitated through brand structures undertaking various projects in the country. Meanwhile, Germans, Nordic tourists, and other Western Europeans opted for Albania due to its affordability.

Polish tourists, the largest group of organized tourism, increased by 27% in the first eight months compared to the previous year. However, there was a 5% decline when comparing August 2023 to August 2022. Tour operators anticipate this year to be a historic high for tourism in the country.

Tourism statistics

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment reported that in August 2023, the number of foreign nationals entering Albanian territory exceeded 2 million.

This number increased by 18.3% compared to August 2022. During the eight months of 2023, the number of foreign nationals entering Albanian territory reached 7.19 million. This number increased by 26.9% compared to the same period in 2022.

In August 2023, the entries of Albanian and foreign nationals into Albanian territory totaled 2.8 million. This figure represents a 16.9% increase compared to August 2022.

For both foreign and Albanian visitors entering Albania in August 2023, the land route remains the most popular choice:

• 77.6% of foreigners and locals prefer the land route to enter Albania.
• 14.7% of foreigners and locals enter the Albanian border by air.
• 7.7% of entries are made through maritime transportation.