Data released by the National Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, showed that resident visitors increased by 11.4% from a year earlier, while the number of foreign guests rose 12.7%, underscoring sustained demand for Albania as a tourist destination and a trend towards longer stays.

The total number of overnight stays at accommodation establishments increased by 8% compared with May 2025. Overnight stays by domestic visitors rose 6%, while those by foreign visitors climbed 8.6%.

Italian tourists remained the largest source of foreign visitors, accounting for 19% of all non-resident guests. Visitors from Kosovo ranked second with 11%, followed by Germany (10%), France (9%) and Poland (6%). Tourists from other countries accounted for the remaining 45%.

Hotel capacity utilisation also improved, with the room occupancy rate rising to 29.8% in May from 28.7% in the same month a year earlier.

The central region attracted the largest number of guests, hosting more than 143,000 domestic and foreign visitors. It was followed by the southern region with more than 121,000 guests and the northern region with over 96,000.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday shared comparative figures showing that Albania’s passenger air traffic rose by 26% year-on-year in May, ranking third behind Slovakia, which recorded a 112.8% increase, and North Macedonia, with 27.4% growth.

“May with significant growth,” Rama wrote on social media, highlighting the performance of the air transport sector.

The data showed that Montenegro followed Albania with a 17.8% increase, ahead of Malta with 16.5%, Uzbekistan with 16.2% and Estonia with 13.1%. Several European countries, however, recorded declines in air traffic over the same period.

The growth at Albania’s “Mother Teresa” International Airport reflects expanding air connections and a rising number of passengers, as the country continues to see increased flows of tourists and international travellers.

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Data published by the Bank of Albania on Friday showed that non-performing loans accounted for 3.77% of total outstanding credit in May, up marginally from 3.75% in April.

On an annual basis, however, the ratio declined from 4.12% in May 2025, reflecting continued improvement in banks’ loan portfolios.

In absolute terms, the stock of non-performing loans stood at around 36.4 billion leks at the end of May.

The central bank’s data indicate that asset quality remained strong even as bank lending to the economy continued to expand.

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Data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) showed that growth in exports was driven primarily by higher shipments of food, beverages and tobacco products, which contributed 3.3 percentage points to the annual increase. Construction materials and metals added 2.2 percentage points, while machinery, equipment and spare parts contributed 1.1 percentage points.

The textiles and footwear sector was the main drag on export performance, reducing overall export growth by 4.3 percentage points.

On the import side, the largest contribution came from minerals, fuels and electricity, which added 3.2 percentage points to annual import growth. Imports of food, beverages and tobacco products, as well as chemical and plastic products, also increased, while machinery, equipment and spare parts recorded the largest negative contribution.

Exports to Kosovo and Greece increased during the month, while shipments to Italy and Germany declined, according to the data.

Imports rose notably from Italy and China, while imports from Germany and Spain fell.

Trade with European Union member states continued to account for the largest share of Albania’s external trade, representing 56.5% of total trade turnover. In May, 66.1% of Albanian exports were destined for EU markets, while 52.6% of imports originated from the bloc.

Albania’s trade deficit widened to 48.2 billion leks in May, up 5.1% from the same month a year earlier and 9.3% from April, INSTAT said.

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Between January 1 and May 31, Rozafa Castle welcomed 62,748 visitors, according to statistics released by Shkodra Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage.

As the cultural capital of northern Albania, Shkodra blends dramatic mountain backdrops with the tranquil shores of Lake Shkodra. Famous for its ancient heritage, it’s the ultimate launchpad for exploring the Albanian Alps—and the perfect place to savor local delicacies like the renowned regional carp.

Shkodra offers a rich tapestry of experiences, anchored by iconic cultural landmarks like the legendary Rozafa Castle, the Marubi National Photography Museum, and the historic Ura e Mesit. Beyond the city, nature takes center stage. The mountainous landscapes of Shiroka, Vermoshi, Razma, and Thethi are easily accessible and provide the perfect backdrop for alpine hiking, traditional guesthouses and authentic local immersion/j.p/p.s./

The improvement was driven primarily by stronger confidence in the construction and services sectors, alongside a rise in consumer sentiment, while confidence in trade weakened and industrial sentiment was unchanged.

Confidence in the construction sector rose by 0.7 percentage points, standing 13.3 points above its historical average. The increase reflected more favourable assessments of current building activity, partly offset by a slight deterioration in order books.

Services sector confidence climbed by 3.4 percentage points, supported by more optimistic views on demand and business activity.

Industrial confidence was broadly stable, remaining 8.3 points above its historical average. Higher production expectations were offset by weaker assessments of order books.

Confidence in the trade sector fell by 3.3 percentage points as businesses reported less favourable views on sales and employment prospects.

Consumer confidence increased by 2.5 percentage points but remained 2.1 points below its historical average. The rise was driven by improved expectations for household finances and the overall economic outlook.

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Following the May 26, 2026 EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Rama reflected on Albania’s immense progress over the last three decades. With a focus on Chapter 1 (“Fundamentals”) and democratic reforms, he celebrated our closeness to the EU, calling it “A date that speaks of two worlds.”

A visual comparison of Albania in 1996 and today, illustrates the country’s profound development over the last three decades.

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Large groups of young people, families, children and the elderly have enjoyed the coastal city today, among activities, games and warm weather.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today views of groups of tourists and citizens, who have chosen Vlora for a weekend coastal escape.

Vlora is buzzing with peak-season energy this early May, filled with promenaders, cafe-goers, and endless seaside activity.

Nestled where the Adriatic and Ionian seas converge, Vlora is a versatile destination offering a seamless blend of coastal relaxation, mountain exploration, and thrilling adventure tourism.

In addition to Vlora’s stunning beaches, the area takes pride in preserving its cultural heritage, traditions, and cuisine. Visitors can also explore the captivating Sazan and Karaburun destinations via tours operating from the port of Vlora.

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Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja on Tuesday described the event as an important opportunity to promote Albania on the international sporting and tourism stage.

“This is a moment to showcase not only our organisational standards, but also Albanian passion and hospitality. Tirana is getting ready to welcome Europe,” Gonxhja said.

The tournament is being organised by Socca Albania and is expected to be one of the largest minifootball events ever staged in the country.

Held under the motto “Tirana – Home of Football”, the tournament is expected to generate a festive atmosphere in the capital and boost visitor numbers, as authorities seek to strengthen Albania’s profile as a host of European-scale sporting events.

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While overall deposits saw a year-on-year rise, the stock of bank deposits experienced a slight monthly decline in April.

Lek-denominated deposits stood at 645 billion lek at the end of May, up 0.73% or around 5 billion lek from April.

Euro-denominated deposits totaled 8.1 billion euros, registering an annual increase of 618 million euros, or 8.2% compared to May 2024.

In total, savings in both currencies grew by the equivalent of 1.17 billion euros over the past year, the central bank said.

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