The number of foreign tourists in Albania is increasing, but the sector still has problems

The number of foreign tourists has increased, which proves that Albania is being discovered and liked as a destination. But what is the tourism balance for the year 2024, which has just ended?

Data shows that last year, Albania was visited by 11.7 million tourists, an increase of 1.6 million compared to 2023. The highest level recorded in years, but lower than the government's expectations for 14 million tourists in 2024.

But how important is the tourism sector for the Albanian economy today?

Tourism contributes 8.8% to the Gross Domestic Product, employs over 384 thousand people directly and indirectly, accounts for 7.5% of total investments and generates an average of 1.8 billion euros per year in the Albanian economy.

But despite the growing numbers of foreign tourists, the sector still has many problems, faced by holidaymakers and market operators.

They start with the lack of labor that has increased costs and made it difficult to cope with the influx, with the depreciation of the euro, the currency in which most of the activity is denominated, and continue with informality and the lack of coordination of policies with the central and local governments. (A2 Televizion)