The tourism season in Durrës has been described as positive, though marked by certain contrasts compared to previous years.

On one hand, the coastal city has remained Albania’s top holiday destination. However, there was a noticeable decline in visitors from the diaspora and from Kosovo, estimated at 20% fewer than last year.

This gap was largely compensated by a surge in foreign tourists. Alongside traditional markets such as Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, this year Durrës also welcomed newcomers from England and France, signaling growing interest from Western Europe in Albania’s Adriatic Riviera.

According to Blerim Norja, a representative of the local tourism sector, the extension of the season has been the key factor:

“Bookings continue through the end of October, particularly from Nordic tourists who prefer the autumn months. This year the season lasted two months longer—we started in April with Austrian visitors and will close in October with Nordic travelers.”

This extended calendar has reshaped the operations of hotels and service providers while also boosting revenue:

“By the end of the season, revenues are expected to be 10–20% higher than last year, as the longer season naturally brought more tourists,” Norja added.

With its growing international profile and extended season, Durrës is steadily evolving into a year-round destination, no longer limited solely to the summer months.