58 % fewer foreign nationals visited Albania during 2020, compared to 2019, according to data published by INSTAT.
Also, the number of Albanian citizens leaving the country has decreased by 50 percent compared to 2019.
During December, 442,966 foreign and Albanian citizens entered the country, or about 50% less than in 2019.
The Covid-19 pandemic, the closure of almost all European countries and the banning of most travel has been a major factor in reducing foreign visitors.
It is noted that most of the foreigners who visited the country are from countries in the region. Thus the largest number of foreign nationals in 2020 were:
- From Kosovo – 1.4 million visitors,
- From Northern Macedonia – 370,135 visitors,
- From Greece – 203,445 visitors,
- From Montenegro – 174,233 visitors,
- From Italy – 123,489 visitors.
The decrease in the number of visitors is also reflected in the decrease in the number of flights and trips by sea. Thus, in December 2020, 1,054 flights took place with a decrease of 54.8 % compared to December 2019.
In October, Tourism Minister Blendi Klosi said that despite the situation Albania did well in terms of tourism.
