Tourism in Albania soars with rising international arrivals

Albania is increasingly turning into a global tourist hotspot, with a record influx of international visitors filling the streets of Tirana with a mosaic of languages—from English and Italian to French, German, and even Chinese.

Why this is important: Albania’s growing appeal on the international stage reflects both the country’s expanding tourism infrastructure and its reputation as a safe, affordable, and culturally rich destination. The boom is helping diversify the economy and broaden tourism beyond regional visitors.

Context: According to official data, the first four months of 2025 saw a sharp rise in international arrivals. Italian tourists remain the second largest group—after visitors from Kosovo—with over 301,000 arrivals, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

But the most remarkable growth came from non-traditional markets. Arrivals from Finland jumped by 350%, Israel by 276%, and India by 103%, signaling that Albania is catching the attention of faraway travelers seeking new, less commercial destinations.

Numbers at a glance (January–April):

• Austria: up 48%
• Germany: up 41%
• France: up 40%
• Meanwhile, visits from Kosovo declined by 7%, falling from 894,000 in early 2024 to 834,000 in the same period this year.

What’s next: Albania is poised to continue this upward trend with an expanded tourism strategy targeting long-haul travelers, digital nomads, and repeat visitors from Europe. As interest widens beyond the region, Albania’s challenge will be to balance growth with sustainability and infrastructure capacity.