TIRANA, September 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s stunning natural landscapes and protected areas are becoming top tourist destinations, adding an exciting new dimension to the country’s travel experience.
Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj said today that, “Over 4.5 million people visited Albania’s protected areas from January to August, up 11.8% from last year.”
“More and more visitors are choosing to explore Albanian nature and our protected areas,” Jaupaj stated, highlighting the rising interest in these destinations.
According to the minister, Shkodra, Vlora and Korça topped the list of most visited destinations during the June–August period, with protected areas welcoming over 3 million visitors in total.
“The number of visitors during the three summer months increased by 9.3% compared to the same period in 2025, demonstrating growing interest in nature and green tourism destinations in the country,” said Jaupaj.
The rise in visitor numbers to Protected Areas highlights the potential of Albania’s natural assets for year-round tourism development, extending beyond traditional coastal destinations.
Jaupaj emphasized that, “More visitors bring greater responsibility for preserving these areas, underscoring the significance of respecting and protecting nature.”
“More visitors mean greater interest in Albania’s nature, but also a greater responsibility to respect, preserve and protect it,” said Jaupaj.
Protected Areas constitute one of Albania’s most important natural assets and, in recent years, have increasingly become sought-after destinations for adventure tourism, ecotourism and outdoor activities.
Protected areas in Albania continued to expand during 2025, reaching a total of 777 sites covering an area of 625,551 hectares or 21.7% of the country’s territory. According to statistics published by INSTAT, protected areas now account for 36.1% of Albania’s forest and pasture lands.
Albania also has 724 natural monuments, while two areas are classified as Managed Resource Areas. /p.s./
