In addition to the effect on the decline in demand for real estate sales, the ongoing actions of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) against criminal groups for money laundering are also being felt in the consumption of bars and restaurants.

The Association of Bars and Restaurants claims that for the month of June, consumption in bars and restaurants has decreased by 30% to 35% compared to the year. According to the Association of Bars and Restaurants, the decrease has affected overall consumption, especially in coastal areas.

Enri Jahja, president of the association, told Monitor that in addition to SPAK's investigations, other factors have also influenced the contraction of consumption, including the increase in hotels with "all-inclusive" service on the coast or even low-cost tourists who continue to dominate the country this season.

In bars and restaurants, consumption for this tourist season continues to decline by up to 35%. Except for May, where the consumption trend showed an increase compared to May 2025, there was a significant decrease in June. Expectations for improvement remain lukewarm for July.

The main reasons for the decline in consumption are several. First, the investigations that SPAK is conducting against criminal groups for money laundering have led many individuals to be exposed in bars and restaurants, that is, individuals who launder money. This is being felt especially in the southern area, on the coast. Some of them, in order to be exposed in bars and restaurants, require "private" environments that consolidated restaurants or bars do not offer. This situation has had an effect on consumption. This group is known for high consumption per capita and unlimited spending on expensive drinks.

Another factor is the increase in the supply of accommodation structures in the south of the country that offer "all-inclusive" service, i.e., with 3 meals or 2 (breakfast and dinner). As a result, this has led to a decrease in the consumption of lunch or dinner in restaurants. The effect is particularly felt in the Ksamil area.

Thirdly, in Albania, the low-cost tourist continues to dominate, cautious in spending on restaurants and consuming more within the premises of the apartment where he is accommodated.

As for prices, Jahja claims that this tourist season there has been no increase. Consumption in bars and restaurants also decreased during the period January-September 2025, decreasing by 10% to 15% compared to the same period last year.

There are a total of 15.5 thousand bars in the country, down from 22 thousand in 2015, being the second most preferred activity in the country, after the retail business.

The difficulty in finding employees, as well as the informality of their salaries, continues to be problematic for the sector. Despite the employment of foreign workers, the Bars and Restaurants Association estimates a vacancy of 10,000 to 20,000 employees.