TIRANA, Jan 13 /ATA/ In recent years, Albania has become one of the top destinations for tourists worldwide, drawn by the allure of its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, spanning both the mountains and the coastline.
Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, published today the foreign tourist statistics, noting that “11.7 million international visitors travelled to Albania in 2024, marking a 15.2% increase compared to 2023.”
Kumbaro stated, “Albania is on track to steady increase in inbound tourism, and has also consolidated a diverse and robust tourism offer.”
Beyond the increase in tourist arrivals from neighbouring countries, 2024 has confirmed growth and stability in markets from Western Europe, such as Italy, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, while also expanding the map of distant markets and bringing in more visitors from these regions.
“The consolidation of Western European markets such as Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the growth from neighboring countries and the increase in visitors from distant Asian and American markets, coupled with the extraordinary impact on the economy, such as the 3.8 billion euros generated from tourism in just the first nine months of 2024, as well as the improvement in accommodation standards, are the best indicators of the vision that is becoming a reality, the prestigious promotion, and the positive experiences created year after year,” said Minister Kumbaro.
Earlier, Minister Kumbaro referred to 2024 as the “trial by fire” for maintaining the successes achieved in tourism in 2023. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Bank of Albania regarding economic growth, the past year demonstrated a steady increase in both areas.
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