Tourism has returned to a faster growth in autumn than foreigners in October. After a weaker summer growth, as expected by tour operators, the last months of the year are compensating for the chaotic season we left behind.

The official data on the movement of citizens published by the Institute of Statistics show that during the month of October 2024, 1,382,481 Albanian and foreign citizens entered the territory of the Republic of Albania.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Albania reached 761,636 in October, a 9.3% increase compared to the same month last year, the country’s statistics office said on Monday.

Tourists from southern Europe made the largest group, accounting for 71% of the total number of foreign tourists who visited Albania in October, INSTAT said in a monthly report.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Albania have reached a record 10.4 million in the first ten months of the year, a 16.2% increase compared to the same period of last year, tourism minister Mirela Kumbaro said earlier this month.

On the other hand, some 1,336,717 Albanian citizens and foreigners have left the territory of Albania, marking an increase of 10.8%, compared to the same period a year ago.

Tour operators estimate that November and December are also expected to have a positive trend of foreign visitors. This is related to the fact that Albania continues to remain a popular and interesting destination, while the prices outside the summer season are preferential and make it economical.

Similarly, the alternation between historical destinations but also the coast, and the nature of the North make Albania a destination of interest for organized groups as well as for individuals. Mainly in the fall, according to tour operators, the interest has continued to remain in the cultural and historical aspects, but thanks to the good weather, this fall has caused the coastal destinations to remain enlivened by visitors in an atypical period.

In 2023, international visitors to Albania totaled 10.1 million, a 35% increase over the previous year, the tourism ministry has said.