Albania’s tourism sector continued to show strong performance at the close of 2025, with foreign visitors driving most of the growth, official statistics showed Tuesday.
According to a report published by the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the number of visitors in December rose 27.2% compared with the same month in 2024, led by non-resident tourists, who increased by 47.6%. Resident visitors grew by 3.8%.
Overnight stays also saw positive momentum, rising 26.2% overall. Stays by foreign tourists jumped 39.2%, while those by domestic visitors increased 8.7%, reflecting not only more visitors but also longer stays in the country’s accommodation facilities.
The increase in foreign visitors was observed both in non-coastal areas, which saw a 37.2% rise, and in hotels and similar establishments, which recorded a 47.6% increase. Analysts say this points to a more balanced distribution of tourism beyond the summer season and coastal regions.
Italian tourists accounted for the largest share of foreign visitors in December 2025, representing 25% of the total. They were followed by visitors from Kosovo (16%), Germany (6%), France (4%) and the United States (4%), with the remaining 45% coming from other countries.
Hotel room occupancy reached 20.4% in December, up from 18.1% a year earlier, indicating stronger demand for accommodation.
The December figures capped a year of positive performance for Albania’s tourism sector, reinforcing its role as a key pillar of the national economy.
For the full year 2025, Albania welcomed a record 12.5 million foreign visitors.