TIRANA, Oct 21 /ATA/ In recent years, our country has seen a “boom” in tourism, establishing itself as a dynamic actor on the European stage, a key factor of stability in the region and also in economic terms contributing to twofold increase of Gross National Product over the span of 10 years.
The government has implemented reforms aimed at increasing accessibility and quality in these sectors, recognizing their importance for social development and economic competitiveness. Additionally, Albania has taken steps to strengthen its social welfare system, providing better support for vulnerable individuals and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive society.
In 2023, Albania ranked fourth globally for the largest increase in the percentage of international tourist arrivals, recording a 56% rise compared to 2019. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s economy showed a strong recovery, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached €17.5 billion in 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 26.3% compared to 2019. Furthermore, over the past five years, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Albania has grown by 35%, reaching €1.3 billion in 2022, while real estate investments from non-residents amounted to €291 million in 2022, indicating the attractiveness of the tourism sector and investor confidence. Albania’s financial stability is further highlighted by its lower inflation rate compared to its regional neighbors and the EU average, with an annual average inflation rate of 4.5% over the past five years. Tourism has also seen the highest growth, with 7.5 million international arrivals in 2022, a figure that increased to 10.1 million in 2023. This growth in tourism contributed to an economic growth rate of nearly 5% in 2022.
However, through this draft strategy for tourism, the government has unveiled its vision for developing tourism in the coming years. The new National Tourism Strategy 2024-2030 has been released for public consultation, outlining the directions and instruments for how this sector will develop over the next seven years.
The strategy divides the country into six tourism clusters, grouping several regions based on common characteristics. For each cluster, the draft identifies primary and secondary tourism products, key resources and attractions, as well as the activities available for tourists.
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