Albania saw a 6.2% rise in foreign tourist arrivals during the first six months of 2026, with visitor numbers reaching 5 million compared to 4.8 million in the same period of 2025, according to data released by INSTAT.
In the month of June 2026, Albania recorded 1.35 million foreign arrivals, a slight increase from 1.33 million in June 2025.
Tourists from Southern Europe accounted for 71.9% of total foreign visits in the first half of 2026, while visitors from Western Europe made up 9.3% of arrivals.
Tourist Declines from Selected Markets Linked to Protests
Visitor numbers dropped significantly in June 2026 compared to June 2025 for several key
origin countries. Arrivals from Kosova declined by 51,190, North Macedonia by 15,223, Germany by 13,165, Turkey by 11,062, and Montenegro by 6,212. This combined loss of 96,852 tourists represents a 13% contraction from these five markets.
The Albanian government and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja attributed these national origin declines partly to ongoing public protests that began on May 30, 2026. Officials linked the political unrest to diminished perceptions of security, stability, and normality among tourists and international partners.
Compensating Growth and Industry Signals
Despite setbacks from these specific markets, growth from other countries offset losses, maintaining a positive net tourism increase
during H1 2026. The minister cited input from tour operators, hoteliers, and travel agencies reporting slower bookings, cancellations, and hesitancy among visitors from some foreign markets.
Germany has expressed particular concerns regarding organized travel involving guarantee contracts. However, social media and tourism forums have not widely presented the protests as a significant risk to travelers.
Context: Previous Growth and Population Data
In 2025, Albania recorded 12.47 million foreign tourists, reflecting a 6.6% rise from the previous year. The country’s population was estimated at 2.4 million in 2023, according to INSTAT.
