While its big sister Greece has nothing left to prove in terms of tourism, Albania is increasingly winning over the hearts of travellers. And rightly so. With its archaeological sites, heavenly beaches and wild mountain ranges, the Balkan country should continue to attract lovers of picturesque scenery.
Recently, videos and photos have been posted on social networks depicting Albania as an idyllic country for holidays in the sun. It’s a great PR coup for the region, located just above Greece, which is receiving more and more tourists. In 2022, Albania recorded 7.5 million international arrivals, according to the World Tourism Organisation. The following year, no fewer than 10 million people set foot on Albanian soil. And the rise is set to continue this year. From January to September, 9.7 million foreign visitors have already been recorded, almost the annual level for 2023.
4.2 billion euros in revenue by 2023
The country thus ranks fourth in the world for the highest rate of increase (over 53%) in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared with 2019. Revenue from tourism is expected to reach €4.2 billion in 2023, compared with €2.8 billion in 2022. The aim is to multiply this revenue by a factor of 4 by 2030, according to the country’s plan orchestrated by the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, and the Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Mirela Kumbaro.
She does, however, qualify Albania’s prospects for tourism. ‘The aim is not mass tourism. We have 10 million foreign visitors for a population of 2.5 million. We’re not looking for 20 or 30 million visitors. What we want for 2030 is to offer a top-of-the-range product that will enable us to increase our income from tourism, while developing a model that respects the environment, with particular attention paid to protecting the country’s natural resources.
Click here to read the full article on Luxus Magazine.
Featured photo : © Polina Rytova – Unsplash
