While hosting more than a million tourists, Durrës showed this summer season that it is suitable for everyone’s pockets.

Somewhere oriented towards elite tourism and somewhere offering economic packages, the innovation is that this year, the coastal city welcomed more foreigners than Albanians.

“Most of them are organized tourists from different countries of the world, but also sporadic tourists and elite tourists. So there was a mix, because Durrës offers many accommodation options”, says Blerim Norja, tourist operator.

But why does the coastal city continue to hold the “crown” of marine tourism in the country?

“From an analysis done, it turns out that Durrës has a very high level and a fair ratio of prices and the service it offers. This comes at a time when the “competition” with the South of Albania is tougher than ever”, says Artan Luku – Head of DHTI Durrës.

Durrës continues to hold the first place for the number of accommodation structures, significantly competing with the coastal cities of the south.

“As much as Ksamil and Saranda offer, only 1 hotel in Durrës has as many beds. So this shows that the real ‘mine’ of the source of income in tourism in Albania is Durrës”, says Norja.

Now that the season is coming to an end, tour operators are thinking about the tourism strategy for the coming years.

“What is noticed is that tourism is mainly focused on the use of the beach and tourists are not offered more packages than the beach. In other words, there is no connection between the tourist opportunities that the city offers”, says Luku.

In the month of July alone, nearly 1.8 million foreigners entered the country, while for the 7-month period, entries increased by over 30%, thus becoming evidence of a golden summer season.