Italians are the main group of tourists who visited hotels in Albania during December, maintaining the trend shown throughout the past year.

Data from accommodation structures published by the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) for the last month of 2023 show that 11.5 percent of non-resident visitors were Italians, followed by Albanians from Kosovo at 8.2 percent. The third group of non-residents consists of Germans at 5.3 percent.

“During December 2023, the total number of overnight stays increased by 67.5 percent compared to December 2022. The number of overnight stays of non-resident visitors accommodated in the Central Region increased by 90.3 percent. In Non-Coastal Areas, this indicator increased by 2.5 times compared to the same period of the previous year. The number of overnight stays of non-resident visitors accommodated in ‘Hotels and similar accommodations’ increased by 80.9%,” INSTAT’s publication states.

Tourists mainly chose the central region, and unlike in summer when coastal areas are trending, this time non-coastal areas are preferred.

“In December 2023, the highest number of overnight stays was realized: by regions in the ‘Central Region’ (57.1%); by zones near the coast in ‘Non-Coastal Areas’ (65.7%); by type of accommodation structures in ‘Hotels and similar accommodations’ (96.8%)” evaluates INSTAT.

INSTAT Figures

The increased interest in Albania as a tourist destination in December is also clearly shown by the utilization rate. According to INSTAT, the net utilization rates of rooms and beds are two indicators that measure the percentage of utilization of accommodation capacities, rooms, and beds available for visitors.

“During this month, the room utilization rate of ‘Hotels and similar accommodations’ is 13.3%, compared to 9.9% in December 2022. The bed utilization rate of ‘Hotels and similar accommodations’ is 14.7%, compared to 8.5% in December 2022,” the document states.

According to the figures, the total number of visitors increased by 47.9% compared to December 2022. The same trend is followed by the following two indicators: the number of resident visitors increased by 33.2%; the number of non-resident visitors increased by 66.0%.

“During December 2023, there was a 47.9% increase in the total number of visitors compared to December 2022. The number of non-resident visitors accommodated in the Central Region increased by 82.3%. In Non-Coastal Areas, this indicator increased by 92.6% compared to the same period of the previous year. The number of non-resident visitors accommodated in ‘Hotels and similar accommodations’ increased by 65.8%,” stated the document.