Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania increased to 5 million in the first six months of 2026, up from 4.8 million during the same period in 2025, according to INSTAT data released on July 25, 2026. This represents a 6.2% growth in inbound visitors over the year.
June 2026 Tourism Figures and Source Regions
Albania received 1.35 million foreign tourists in June 2026, a slight increase from 1.33 million in June 2025. Of these June arrivals, 71.9% originated from Southern Europe while Western Europe accounted for 9.3% of the visitor share.
Declines from Key Source Markets in June
Despite the overall rise in arrivals, some specific markets recorded significant declines in June 2026 compared to
the previous year. Arrivals from Kosova dropped by 51,190 visitors, North Macedonia by 15,223, Germany by 13,165, Turkey by 11,062, and Montenegro by 6,212. This combined decrease of 96,852 visitors from these five countries accounts for a 13% contraction in those markets.
Government Links Tourist Declines to Protests
The Albanian government and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja attributed the reductions from key markets to protests ongoing since May 30, 2026. They stated that these demonstrations have negatively influenced perceptions of security, normality, and stability, which are crucial factors for tourism. Tour operators, hoteliers, and travel agencies reported slower bookings, cancellations, and hesitancy among
some foreign tourists in response to the unrest.
Despite these localized declines, growth from other markets offset losses, maintaining a modest positive balance in overall arrivals for the half-year.
In 2025, Albania experienced a 6.6% rise in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching 12.47 million. The country’s population was estimated at 2.4 million in 2023, according to INSTAT.
