6.3 million foreign tourists visit Albania from January to July 2024
Albania welcomed 6.3 million foreign tourists between January and July 2024. This represents an increase of 1.2 million compared to the same period in 2023, when 5.1 million foreign visitors were recorded.
Why is this significant
The figures come amid a heated public, media, and political debate in Albania over recent weeks over the performance of the tourism sector.
Context
Opposition parties and some media outlets have claimed a massive decline in foreign tourists visiting Albania, particularly from Kosovo, who make up a significant chunk of beachgoers in Albania. They argue that high prices and poor management of public and private beach spaces are driving visitors away.
The data released by the government over the weekend challenges these claims. According to official figures, 2.4 million Kosovar tourists visited Albania in the first seven months of 2024.
After Kosovars, Italian tourists constitute the largest group, with 636,000 visitors. The following numbers represent visitors from:
- North Macedonia: 481,000
- Turkey: 206,000
- England: 181,000
- Poland: 174,000
- France: 109,000
- Sweden: 50,000
- Netherlands: 68,000
- Spain: 56,000
- Romania: 51,000
- China: 13,000
Tourism is becoming a key sector in Albania’s economy. Authorities anticipate that Albania will host a total of 14 million tourists during 2024. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has announced plans to implement measures to prevent future abuses by tourism operators, including mandatory price displays at restaurant and bar entrances and better management of private beach facilities.
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