Albania’s net financial gain from tourism increased to Euro 2.1 billion (Dollar 2.45 million) in the first half of 2025, from Euro 1.9 billion a year earlier, central bank data showed on Wednesday.

In the second quarter alone, foreign tourists contributed Euro 1.22 billion to Albania's economy, up 5.5% annually, the central bank said in a quarterly report.

Albanian residents spent Euro 1.3 billion abroad in the first half, an annual increase of 7.5%.

Compared to the same period a year ago, tourist revenues increased by 7.7%. The growth rate of revenues has slowed significantly compared to previous years.

For the same period in 2024, tourism revenues had increased by 25.3% and in 2023 by

37.4%.

Although increasing, the slowdown in the flow of money that tourists are spending in Albania reflects the fact that foreign arrivals have shown slowing trends in the first half of the year.

Other INSTAT data revealed that 4.7 million foreign citizens entered the country in the January-June period, an increase of 4.8% compared to the same period a year earlier. In 2024, for January-June, entries were 33% higher.

However, the average expenditure per foreigner appears to have increased slightly by an average of 440 euros per person for the 6 months, from 429 euros in the same period a year ago, according to data processed by Monitor, based on figures on the arrivals of foreign citizens from INSTAT.

While foreigners come to Albania for vacations, locals travel to Europe for both tourism purposes, fueled by the rise of low-cost airlines, and to visit emigrant relatives.

According to the Bank of Albania, domestic citizens' spending on travel abroad was Euro 1.3 billion, with an increase of 7.5% on an annual basis for the first six months of 6. As with foreigners, growth rates have slowed significantly, compared to the same period in 2025 (2024%) and 23.7 (2023%).

Foreign tourist arrivals reached 4.76 million in January-June, up 5% from the same period of 2024, according to the tourism ministry. The figure rose to 8.96 million by the end of August, also a 5% annual increase.

In 2024, foreign tourist arrivals to Albania increased 15%, reaching 11.7 million, the country's statistical office has said.