Gonxhja described culture as one of Albania’s standout success stories, citing sustained growth in visitor numbers and revenues generated by the country’s heritage attractions.

Between January and May, cultural heritage institutions and centres welcomed 424,082 visitors, including both Albanian and foreign tourists. National museums received 143,086 visitors, while archaeological parks attracted 188,437 and castles and cultural monuments recorded 91,559 visitors.

Visitor numbers rose by 95.7% compared with the same period in 2023, while revenues generated by heritage sites increased by 147.4%, according to official figures.

Compared with the corresponding period a year earlier, visitor numbers were up 9.9% and revenues increased by 7.3%.

“Our heritage is more than history; it is a source of energy and national pride, and a magnet drawing an ever-increasing number of visitors from Albania and around the world,” Gonxhja said.

The figures highlight the growing role of cultural tourism in Albania’s visitor economy as authorities continue efforts to promote and preserve the country’s historical and archaeological assets.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama and Gonxhja met representatives of Israeli airline Sundor, a subsidiary of EL AL, to thank them for their role in promoting tourism and closer ties between the two countries, Tourism Minister said in a social media post a day ago.

Gonxhja said Sundor CEO Gal Gershon was presented with a symbolic award in recognition of the company’s support for the joint initiative to boost year-round tourism.

“Through this cooperation, in just a few months, Albania has welcomed 570% more Israeli visitors compared with 2024, with 110 direct Tel Aviv -Tirana flights and a projection of around 60,000 Israeli visitors by the end of the year,” he said.

Albania, known for its Adriatic and Ionian beaches, mountain scenery and Ottoman-era towns, is seeking to position itself as a sustainable, year-round destination. Tourism has become a key source of income for the country’s economy.

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According to data from the General Directorate of Road Transport Services, the electric vehicle fleet reached 8,701 vehicles in June 2025.

Meanwhile, there has been recorded a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, of 11 million kg of CO2 per year, helping to clean the air.

In addition, this has contributed to a significant improvement in air quality, with a reduction of almost 383 cubic meters of atmospheric pollutants, which is an important step towards environmental protection.

According to the Directorate, 74% of vehicles registered during the period January-June 2025 are Euro 5 or of more advanced standards, showing significant progress in the use of more ecological and cleaner vehicles. /j.p/p.s./

Silvi Merdani, Director of Tourism and Activities at the Berat Municipality, told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on Sunday that from January to May 2025, the city welcomed around 370,000 tourists – a notable 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

Tourist numbers are complemented by rising overnight stays and increasing participation in activities beyond sightseeing. Visitors engage in wine tastings, artisan exhibitions, and folkloric events that showcase the region’s vibrant traditions.

“Berat no longer has a defined start or end to the tourist season,” Merdani said. “Tourists choose to visit throughout the year as the city offers plenty to explore every day.”

Among the most frequented attractions are Berat Castle and the historic neighborhoods of Gorica and Mangalem. In the wider region, popular sites include the Osum Canyons, local wineries, and museums such as Onufri and the Ethnographic Museum.

Berat’s unique architecture and rich heritage continue to establish it as one of Albania’s premier tourist destinations.

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The rise in visitor numbers reflects growing interest in this unique historic and cultural heritage site.

The medieval castle was the most visited site in the stone city of Gjirokaster during 2024. According to official data from the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, a total of 263,048 tourists visited the citadel last year.

The castle, perched on a 370-meter high hilltop in the picturesque town, is mentioned for the first time as a citadel in 1336. Situated on the hilltop overlooking the city, the castle extends across the 1100-foot-high hillside, like a giant ship made of stone.

Gjirokaster is a very important historical and cultural town that is known for its extensive use of stone in building the houses, which resemble small fortresses, and cobblestone streets, which is how it got the name “The City of Stone.”

The old citadel and the domineering 4th century Gjirokaster castle and fortress granted Gjirokaster the UNESCO World Heritage Site status because it’s a rare and wonderful example of a very well-preserved Ottoman town.

The castle often hosts cultural events, concerts, cultural fairs and exhibitions and the site not only offers an insight into the architectural prowess of its time but also provides stunning panoramic views of the town below and the surrounding Albanian mountains.

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The Museum sustained damages by the devastating earthquake that rocked Albania in November 2019 and it was recently renovated under the European Union-funded EU4Culture Programme.

The renovation project was implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in close partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation to transform the museum into a modern cultural and educational space.

Director of the History and Ethnographic Museum Mehdi Hafizi told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on Tuesday that around 10 000 local and foreign tourists have visited the museum since the site was reopened two months ago.

According to him, the Ethnographic Museum, the Skanderbeg History Museum, which remains one of the most popular attractions together with the Old Bazaar in the historic town, attracted a large influx of foreign visitors, with Italians leading the hike in visitor numbers, followed by French, U.S., Spanish and Polish visitors.

The Ethnographic Museum offers visitors a unique learning experience focused on Albania’s rich history and culture using storytelling and multimedia displays, including interactive walls, virtual and augmented reality experiences such as a virtual dressing room that allows visitors to try on traditional 18th-century clothing), and audio guides.

Kruja is a year-round tourism destination, as it is favoured by the values ​​it carries, but also by the location.

Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu National Museum and the Kruja Castle  has proudly stood on top of a rocky cliff, high above its city, for the last fifteen centuries, witnessing the long turbulent history of this place, which was once the centre of Arbëria (Albania’s ancient name). The Castle is situated at an altitude of 557m above sea level and it houses the Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg National Museum, one of the most visited attractions in Albania today. Built in the early 1980s, crowning the castle walls, this recognisable museum structure has become an icon of this city’s skyline. The museum was constructed as tower type dwelling, mostly built in the north of Albania, as a venue and memorial for the most important and popular figure in Albanian history.

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More than 85 000 passengers have travelled from and to Albania’s largest seaport and the Italian ports in July alone, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment announced on Saturday.

“More than 15000 ferry passengers are expected to arrive in Durres port on the first weekend of August, while port and customs administrations have employed full capacities to handle the influx,” the Ministry of Tourism said.

The Durres Port handles about three quarters of maritime passengers and the overwhelming majority of about 90 percent of transport. Albania has three other ports in Vlora, Saranda and Shengjin with the latter only involved in maritime transport.

The port has also become an attractive cruise ship tourism destination with thousands of tourists visiting the ancient city of Durres as part of their Mediterranean tours.

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Gonxhja said via a post on the social media on Sunday that more than 12000 local and foreign tourists visited the country’s national museums on the International Museum Day on Saturday alone.

The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation posted photo images of the museums, where a series of cultural and artistic events took place to mark the International Museum Day.

“An incredible day full of activities, unique exhibitions, workshops, and magical nights with carefully curated artistic programs in collaboration with local government authorities, with the number of visitors to the museums estimated at over 12 000 yesterday alone, three times higher than on a normal day,” Gonxhja said.

Admission to all museums will be free on the last Sunday of each month, aiming to further promote cultural engagement and exploration.

The surge in museum visits and tourist arrivals reflects Albania’s rich cultural heritage and its increasing popularity as a cultural destination.

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In a press statement, the opposition official referred to the World Health Organization’s data, saying that the number of doctors in 2020 has been reduced by 15% since 2018.

According to DP lawmakers, the declining rates of doctors-to-patients were a result of lacking encouraging policies and failure to increase the state budget for the country’s health system.

“Albania remains the country with the lowest number of doctors and nurses in the region. According to the World Health Organization, Albania is a bottom of regional ranking in terms of financial support for the health sector compared to countries in the region and Türkiye. WHO notes that the number of doctors has fallen by 15% in 2020 from 22 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants in 2018 to 18.8 doctors per 10.000 inhabitants in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak that year,” Pampuri stated.

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Citing official data, Tourism Minister said that a total of 794 foreign tourists visited Albania in April alone. Kumbaro announced that the Ministry of Tourism is coordinating efforts with both public and private institutions to handle the growing tourist influx and ensure smooth and successful conduct of the upcoming summer tourist season.

“Around 800,000 foreign tourists visited the country in April alone, taking the number of foreign arrivals to over 2.3 million in the first months of or +38% more than during the same period of the previous year. The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with public and private institutions, is prioritizing safety, cleanliness and higher service standards of sustainable tourism development,” Tourism Minister said on her official website.

Official figures and data from the private tourism sector show that number of foreign visitors to Albania in 2024 is projected to grow by 30% compared to 2024, when 10.1 million foreign tourists visited the country.

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