Tourism has become a key driver of the country's economy, generating ever-increasing and stable revenues. In the first quarter of this year, revenues from the tourism sector marked another record compared to the same period in previous years.

According to data published by the Bank of Albania, foreign tourists spent Euro 874.36 million in the first quarter in Albania, an increase of about 11% compared to the same period in 2024 and 40% more than in the same quarter of 2023.

Statistics show that Albania has increased its lead in attracting elite tourists who spend more and for longer periods, a fact that translates into a positive and distributed impact on the economy.

On the other hand, the net balance of tourism remains positive for the Albanian economy, reflecting not only the increase in inbound tourism but also the strengthening of the Albanian tourist offer outside the summer season.

The difference between the spending of foreign tourists in the country and Albanians going abroad has reached Euro 295.32 million.

In this context, Albania is confirmed as a country that earns more from tourism than it spends on it, at least in the economic balance.

In 2024, Albania saw a record 11.7 million foreign tourists, a 15.2% increase compared to 2023. This signifies a strong recovery from the pandemic and demonstrates Albania's growing popularity as a tourist destination. While 2023 saw around 10 million arrivals, the 2024 figure is even higher. The number of tourists in Albania has been steadily increasing, with 6 million visitors in 2019. The pandemic caused a dip, but the industry has rebounded significantly since then, with pre-pandemic levels surpassed in 2023 and 2024. Albania is now attracting more international visitors than ever before.

Furthermore, the Bank of Albania said that foreign direct investments recorded an increase in the first three months of the year, compared to the same period in 2024.

The Bank of Albania announces that foreign direct investments reached Euro 362 million in the first three months of 2025, with an increase of about 2% compared to the period January-March 2024. “New capital injection and reinvestment expanded by 8 million euros in annual terms,” the Bank of Albania announced.

In total foreign investments for this period, investments in real estate lead with Euro 97 million. "During the first quarter of 2025, foreign exchange inflows in the form of foreign direct investments were mainly concentrated in real estate at 27%, the financial intermediation sector at 21%, hydrocarbons at 14%, energy at 6%, and transportation at 4%," the Bank of Albania announced.