Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has cited recent developments in the tourism sector as proof of his government’s successful course.

Speaking to Albanian public broadcaster RTSH, Rama emphasized that the country is “well on its way to establishing itself as a sustainable tourism model in the Western Balkans.” This assessment is based on the latest figures for the 2024 summer season, which show a significant increase in visitor numbers.

According to Rama, Albania has already welcomed more than 3.6 million foreign guests in the first few months of the year – an increase of around 35 percent compared to the same period last year. This development is the result of targeted investments in infrastructure, service quality, and international cooperation in the tourism sector.

“What we are seeing today is no coincidence, but the result of hard work and long-term planning,” said the prime minister in a TV interview broadcast by RTSH on June 7, 2025.

Rama particularly emphasized that the tourism boom is not only affecting classic summer destinations such as the Albanian Riviera, but increasingly also regions in the interior of the country. According to government figures, cities such as Gjirokastra, Berat, and Shkodra are recording double-digit growth rates in visitor numbers. This development is also supporting the Albanian economy: according to RTSH, the tourism sector contributed around 10 percent to gross domestic product in 2023 – and the trend is rising.

International media have also noticed the upswing. The Financial Times recently named Albania one of the most exciting travel destinations in Europe, especially for independent travelers and nature lovers. Rama sees this as a clear mandate: “We must seize the momentum while ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of sustainability.”

Next, the government plans to promote new ecotourism projects in cooperation with local communities and push ahead with the digitization of booking and information systems. In addition, public transportation in tourist regions will be further expanded to improve the travel experience for visitors while reducing environmental impact.

Looking ahead to the coming years, the prime minister was optimistic: “Albania is no longer just an insider tip – we are ready for the world.”

Image:
© European Union, 2025, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons