May tourism hits record high with over 1.6 million entries into Albania

Albania welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors in May 2025, continuing its upward tourism trajectory with a 4.3% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from INSTAT.

Why is this important: The growing number of arrivals signals another busy summer for the Albanian tourism sector, with implications for infrastructure readiness, service capacity, and the economy. The steady rise in domestic and foreign visitor numbers reaffirms Albania’s emergence as a prime Mediterranean destination.

Context: A total of 1,676,222 individuals entered the country in May. Of these, 987,077 were foreign nationals, up 1.4% from May 2024, while returning Albanian citizens numbered 689,145—an 8.9% year-on-year increase.

The vast majority of foreign visitors—about 95%—originated from European countries, with 72% coming from Southern Europe and 14% from Western Europe. Analysts expect that continued regional conflict in the Middle East may dampen arrivals from non-European markets in the coming months.

What else: The consistent upward trend places pressure on national infrastructure, particularly at peak travel points such as border crossings, airports, and tourist hotspots. Ensuring adequate services and maintaining quality will be key challenges as the summer high season begins.

Despite these concerns, the data suggests that Albania’s appeal is broadening, with new markets gradually emerging and returning diaspora bolstering the overall figures.