Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj stated that discussions centered on technical solutions, necessary infrastructure and the most efficient models for waste treatment, in line with European Union standards.

In a post on social media, Jaupaj emphasized the importance of collaborating with French partners to transition from the planning phase to concrete projects.

“With the support of our partners, we are continuing our work to render planning into tangible investments and to build a modern, sustainable waste management system,” said Jaupaj.

The FASEP study aims to contribute to identifying appropriate solutions and models for the development of waste management infrastructure, in accordance with European requirements and standards. /e.i/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja appreciated today that, “Participation in this fair is an opportunity to promote the natural beauty, culture, hospitality and unique experiences our country offers, as well as to build new bridges of cooperation with professionals and partners from across the globe.”

At this event, Albania aims to capture the interest of tour operators, travel agencies, investors and industry professionals, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with key players in the global tourism sector. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

The draft budget’s explanatory report identifies increasing tourism’s contribution to the national economy as a key priority, projecting the sector’s share of GDP to reach and remain at 33% over 2027–2029, compared with 26.4% in 2025.

The government’s medium-term plans also place emphasis on employment and regional development. The share of employment in the tourism sector is expected to edge up from 8.6% in 2026 to 8.7% in 2027, before reaching 8.8% over 2028–2029.

Meanwhile, the country’s accommodation capacity is set to grow, with the number of accommodation establishments forecast to rise from 2,100 in 2027 to 2,150 by 2029.

Another key development is the planned expansion of agritourism. According to official government figures, the number of licensed businesses in the sector is projected to increase from 400 in 2027 to 650 by 2029.

As regards international visitor flows, Albania aims to maintain the upward trend in foreign arrivals. The number of foreign nationals expected to enter the country is projected to reach 15.5 million in 2027 and rise to 16 million by 2029.

These targets are intended to strengthen tourism’s role in the Albanian economy, diversify the country’s tourism offer and extend activity throughout the year, while also boosting employment and economic development across different regions.

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Visitors have the opportunity to combine their sightseeing with trips to local wineries and tourist villages, all located within 10 km of the city center.

This makes for a more comprehensive experience, providing a compelling reason to extend a stay beyond a simple day trip.

Mayor of Berat Ervin Ceca told ATA that, “Between January and October of this year, Berat has been visited by over one million tourists. According to data from accommodation and service providers, the number of visitors has increased by approximately 15% compared to the same period last year.”

“Visitor interest is also reflected at the ‘Onufri’ Iconographic Museum, which recorded 100,000 visitors between January and the end of October. Located within the Castle, the museum preserves significant examples of Albanian iconography and serves as a major point of interest for tourists visiting the city,” said Ceca.

During autumn, seasonal produce—particularly grapes and olives—adds a new dimension to the tourist experience.

“Visitors can combine walks around the city with trips to wineries and tourist villages located just a few kilometers from the center. These options make for a more comprehensive experience and provide a reason to stay longer than just a single day,” Ceca emphasized. “Alongside the ‘Onufri’ Iconographic Museum, the Ethnographic Museum allows visitors to learn about the lifestyle, traditions and layout of a traditional Berat home through objects and artifacts passed down through generations. Beyond the historic center, the village of Roshnik serves as another compelling destination, where tourism blends with nature, local produce, and traditional hospitality. The Bogova area also offers opportunities for visitors seeking outdoor experiences, while the local wineries remain a highly recommended attraction during the autumn,” said Ceca.

Promoting Berat as a year-round destination relies on a diverse offering, in which UNESCO-protected cultural heritage, museums, historic architecture, a long-standing wine tradition, gastronomy and rural areas all complement one another.

Gastronomy, too, forms an essential part of the area’s identity. “Traditional dishes, olive oil, honey, fruits and products prepared by local families offer visitors the chance to get a close-up look at culinary traditions and the people behind their production. To extend the tourist season and boost benefits for the local economy, collaboration is essential—involving local businesses, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, wineries, agritourism farms, tour guides and local producers,” said Ceca.

The municipality contributes to promoting the city and creating the right conditions for tourism development, while coordinating activities with local businesses helps generate new opportunities for local enterprises and producers.

“The goal is to develop a tourism model that yields more sustainable income, supports local production and creates employment opportunities,” Ceca stated.

Furthermore, Ceca added, the Municipality of Berat aims to enrich its calendar of cultural and tourist events, ensuring that there are compelling reasons to visit the city in every season. /k.s/j.p/r.e/p.s./

The draft law, prepared by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports and released for public consultation, would replace the existing tourism law and bring the sector’s regulatory framework closer to European Union legislation and international commitments.

Under the proposal, apartments, villas and rooms offered for short-term rental would have to be registered through e-Albania and receive a unique identification code.

The draft also introduces changes to the classification of accommodation facilities. Categorisation certificates would remain valid indefinitely, provided legal requirements continued to be met, while classification certificates would be valid for eight years, with the option of renewal. New accommodation models, including distributed hotels, mixed-use resorts and managed properties, would also be recognised.

The legislation would establish new investment mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, the use of state-owned assets and infrastructure support for priority tourism areas. It would also set criteria for granting special investment status to four- and five-star accommodation projects.

The National Tourism Agency would take on a broader role in promotion and tourism activities, while the National Coastal Agency would oversee integrated coastal management and beach monitoring. Beach operators would face requirements covering safety, hygiene, service quality and public access.

The draft also provides for seasonal construction suspensions in tourist areas to protect the holiday season and improve the visitor experience.

New regulations would cover tour guides, travel agencies, tour operators and tourist transport services, including sightseeing and hop-on hop-off buses.

To strengthen consumer protection, the proposal envisages establishing an alternative dispute resolution office within the ministry responsible for tourism to handle disputes between tourists and tourism service providers outside the courts.

The draft also envisages a new Tourism Data System, incorporating a Central Tourism Register, a National Register of Tourism Resources and an electronic e-Visitor module. Funding of 300 million leks has been proposed for the platform under the 2027 budget programme.

Additional provisions cover the registration and maintenance of hiking trails and the establishment of a National Tourism Trails Commission to promote nature tourism and improve visitor safety.

The initiative also aims to align Albanian legislation with EU rules on services and package travel and meet the country’s commitments under the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

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The arrival highlights the continued growth of cruise tourism in Albania, with Saranda remaining a key entry point for foreign visitors beyond the summer season.

During their stop, passengers will have the opportunity to explore the coastal city and nearby tourist destinations, including the area’s natural attractions and cultural heritage.

The ship’s arrival is expected to bring additional visitors and business opportunities for local enterprises, adding to Saranda’s maritime tourism activity.

In recent years, the southernmost town of Saranda has become one of Albania’s leading cruise destinations, supported by its strategic location, proximity to the Greek island of Corfu and rich natural and cultural attractions.

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The talks focused on fostering new partnerships, promoting each country’s tourist destinations and expanding cooperation between tourism operators in Albania and Azerbaijan.

According to the National Tourism Agency, the meeting aimed to create new opportunities for tourism exchanges between the two countries and encourage closer ties between their respective tourism industries.

Through partnerships and the exchange of expertise, Albania aims to strengthen its presence in the Azerbaijani market by promoting its destinations, culture and hospitality, while encouraging greater tourist flows in both directions.

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Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced that the selected hotels are located in several of the country’s main tourist destinations, from Tirana to the southern coastal areas, as well as in cities with a rich historical and cultural heritage.

The list features a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels and coastal resorts to boutique hotels that blend traditional architecture with contemporary design.

Among the selected properties are Tirana Marriott Hotel, Radisson Collection Morina Hotel Tirana, The Crown Boutique Hotel & SPA, Crowne Plaza Durrës by IHG, Hotel Epidamn Boutique & Spa, Maritim Marina Bay Resort SPA & Casino, Yacht Hotel, Green Coast – MGallery Collection, Miamar Luxury Hotel & Spa, Vista Boutique Hotel and Life Gallery Hotel.

The selection also includes properties in Himara, Dhërmi, Saranda, Berat, Gjirokastër, Korçë and Vlora, reflecting the geographical spread and diversity of Albania’s tourism offering.

The Michelin Guide is one of the most internationally recognised names in travel and gastronomy. In addition to its restaurant selections, the guide has expanded into the accommodation sector, offering travellers opportunities to discover and book hotels in destinations around the world.

Inclusion on the hotel platform offers Albanian accommodation providers additional promotional opportunities, increasing their visibility among tourists who plan their trips through this international channel.

International promotion of accommodation facilities is seen as an opportunity to attract more foreign visitors and strengthen Albania’s position in the tourism market, as the country seeks to develop an offering that combines its coastline, natural attractions, cultural heritage and hospitality.

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“With tourism revenue more than doubling over the past three years and off-season stays surging by 78%, our goal is to leverage this momentum to drive investments, elevate service quality, and create jobs for coastal communities,” stated Minister Gonxhja.

According to the minister, an increase in the number of yachts docking in Albania—utilizing local supply and maintenance services—will generate greater revenue for local businesses and provide opportunities for Albanian families throughout the year.

The Balkans Sea Fair spanned three days, bringing together yachting, adventure, business and entertainment along the Vlora coastline. The event aimed to foster opportunities for exchange and collaboration within the maritime tourism sector, while highlighting the potential offered by the Albanian coast beyond the traditional summer months. /j.p/p.s./

A total of 969,255 visitors stayed in accommodation facilities during the month, up from 878,901 in August 2025. The increase covered both domestic visitors, up 9%, and foreign visitors, up 10.7%.

Overnight stays by non-residents rose by 13.4%, while those by residents increased by 9.8%, bringing the overall growth in overnight stays to 12.5%.

Kosovo accounted for the largest share of foreign visitors staying in Albania, at 17%, followed by Poland at 12%, Italy at 10%, France at 8% and Germany at 7%. Visitors from other countries made up 46% of the total.

Foreign visitor numbers increased in the southern and northern regions. The South recorded 244,132 non-resident visitors, up from 206,248 a year earlier, while the North welcomed 241,765, compared with 205,467 in August 2025. In the Central region, foreign visitors fell to 234,040 from 238,393.

Coastal areas remained the leading destination, hosting 573,106 foreign visitors and 198,369 domestic visitors during August. Hotels and similar establishments accommodated 861,000 visitors, making them the dominant type of accommodation.

Hotel room occupancy also improved, reaching 67.4%, up 5.9 percentage points from 61.5% in August last year.

The figures point to continued growth in Albania’s accommodation sector during the summer season, with increases in visitor numbers, length of stay and hotel capacity utilisation, INSTAT data showed.

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