United Kingdom (UK) media published that the Albanian government expects that by 2030 the country will receive more than 30 million tourists. In 2015, the number of tourists was just over three million.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number has risen sharply, with around 10 million people arriving in 2023, which is an increase of 56 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures.
These numbers have made Albania the fastest-growing European holiday destination, and the country’s government expects up to 30 million foreign visitors by 2030.
In context, this level would be higher than what Portugal or Croatia currently receive. The level of tourism in Albania is the third fastest-growing in the world, right behind Qatar and Puerto Rico. The Middle Eastern oil giant recorded an 89 percent increase in visitors between 2019 and 2023, and Puerto Rico recorded a 58 percent increase, which is slightly more than Albania.
Among those investing in the Albanian scene are Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, who recently received the green light for a 1.4 billion dollar luxury hotel on Sazan Island.
Albanian journalist Uesli Didani said that there is concern that some elements of the tourism boom are moving faster than may have been manageable.
“Some construction projects were carried out without proper planning. In coastal areas like Saranda, there have been cases of environmental degradation due to the dumping of construction waste into the sea,“ she said.
Didani also said that local residents have been pushed out of the local real estate markets, similar to trends seen in tourist hubs like Mallorca.
Mass tourism has raised prices in coastal areas, making rent and services unaffordable for residents.
Albania has long been a hidden gem for tourists in Europe, with attractions like the Blue Eye, a natural mountain spring, the Dajti Ekspres cable car that transports tourists to the top of the mountain, and Butrint National Park, an archaeological site with layers of history from the Hellenic to the Byzantine period.
In addition, Albania’s sandy beaches and coastal resorts, as well as hot summer temperatures, make it an attractive tourist offering, Klix.ba writes.
