In the first ten days of August, over 86,000 passengers traveled through maritime routes, marking a substantial increase compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Durres Port Authority, 54,219 passengers were recorded entering the country, while 31,849 were registered leaving. This represents an increase of 7,335 passengers over the previous year.

Why is this significant

The data reveals a 9% increase in passenger entries and exits during the first ten days of August compared to the same period last year, indicating a high number of tourists choosing to visit Albania this summer. This uptick is also reflected in the number of vehicles passing through the port, with 26,362 vehicles recorded, up by 3,093 compared to the 23,269 vehicles from the previous year. While relatively low compared to major maritime hubs, the data confirm a growing interest in this form of travel at a time when the Albanian Government is advancing major projects in the area of ports infrastructure.  

Overall, approximately 200,000 travelers have moved through the Durres port during July and August. In response to this surge, port authorities implemented special measures to manage the increased passenger flow and avoid long queues.

In 2023, official data showed that 10 million foreign tourists visited Albania through all entry points, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings. This year, state authorities anticipate that this figure will exceed 14 million foreign tourists.