Tourism is emerging as a new growing sector, which is expected to strongly push the country's economy in the coming years. The government is giving the deserved attention to this sector, considering it a strategic priority.

According to the draft National Tourism Strategy 2024-2030, it is predicted that by the last year of this period, about 70 million overnight stays will be registered in all accommodation structures of the country. An ambitious target, considering that the number of this indicator is expected to increase by 138% compared to last year. To achieve this great growth, hotels and other accommodation structures must invest in expanding their accommodation capacities.

Until last year, according to data from the draft National Tourism Strategy, about 270,000 beds were registered. However, to meet future demands, it is predicted that by 2030 the number of beds will reach 477,000, which means an increase of 76% in just 7 years.

This transformation in the accommodation sector will require not only financial investments but also a focus on the quality of services and the diversification of tourist offers.

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has issued for public consultation the draft National Tourism Strategy 2024-2030, which is the basic document for the orientation of the development of the sector in the next six years.

The draft states that the selected model is that of sustainable development based on three basic aspects such as environmental, social, and economic, while the goal is to extend the season throughout the year, diversifying the tourist offer.

The strategy is based on six key development priorities, which are: investments, regulatory and fiscal policy of tourism, management of destinations, development of tourism products, marketing of destinations, and capacity building.

For each of the priorities, the relevant policies to be followed are defined, specifying that in terms of investments, a range of fiscal incentives, support mechanisms, and adapted investment schemes will be implemented to attract domestic and international investors to strategic tourism projects.

Through the application of the foreseen measures, according to the draft, there will be an increase in the number of beds and a diversification of the motives for coming to Albania.

An increase in the number of employees is also predicted, from 42,698 individuals that were reported by INSTAT in 2023, to 73,778 people in 2030. According to the draft, the tourism income after the measures to be taken will increase from Euro 4.16 billion to Euro 6.7 billion by 2030.

The 2024-2030 tourism strategy divides the country into at least six tourist regions by grouping several regions according to common characteristics, aiming to develop a series of comparable or similar products, activities, experiences, attractions, and tourist infrastructures.

Specifically, these regions are the Adriatic Coast; Northern Inland Region; Tirana City Region; Central Inland Region; Ionian Coast; and Southern Inland Region.

For each of these regions, the document has extracted primary and secondary tourism products, key resources and attractions, as well as the main experiences available to tourists.