“The Sun”: Albania sees 293% surge in tourist bookings
TIRANA, August 18 – British newspaper The Sun has highlighted Albania as one of Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations. The article cites Thomas Cook data showing a 293% increase in bookings for Albania compared with a year earlier. The Sun points to Albania’s beaches, affordable summer holidays and capital Tirana. It …
Heavy passenger traffic at port, PM Rama highlights Italian tourist influx in Vlora
TIRANA, August 18 – Italian tourists continue to arrive at the Port of Vlora in large numbers in late August. Many others are returning home after spending their holidays on Albania’s beaches and in its cities. Albanians living abroad are also arriving for their holidays. As a result, Vlora continues …
Foreign Tourists in Vlora: Good Food and Friendly People
Albania continues to attract foreign tourists. Visitors particularly praise its hospitality, cuisine and coastline. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared today the views of several foreign tourists who chose Vlora for their holidays. “For the first time in Vlora, and certainly not the last, new friends of Albania are coming …
Heritage treasures attract more visitors, Berat Museum Center welcomes over 61,000
Berat’s rich historical and cultural heritage continues to attract more visitors. The city of a thousand windows remains one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations. Data from the first seven months of 2026 show growing interest in the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Miklor Pasku, director of the …
European Union Civil Protection Mechanism deploys firefighting teams and helicopters in Albania
TIRANA, August 18 – Large wildfires have affected Albania and several other European countries. The fires have claimed lives and damaged homes, ecosystems, farmland, infrastructure, cultural heritage and local economies. The European Union Delegation in Tirana said Europe remains united in response to the fires. It stressed that no country …
Ajden Nora brings monophonic singing to life as Gjirokastër’s tradition passes through generations
Gjirokastër continues to inspire young generations with its distinctive houses, architecture and rich cultural heritage. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared a video featuring young artist Ajden Nora. He highlighted how young people are keeping Albania’s cultural heritage alive through music and art. “When tradition finds the …
Tourism challenges in Shkodër region, visitor safety remains priority
TIRANA, August 18 – Tourist numbers in Shkodër region have risen significantly this summer. The increase has created new challenges for local institutions. Authorities are focusing on visitor safety and service quality. For the Regional Administration of Protected Areas in Shkodër, visitor safety remains a key concern. The focus has …
Wildfire in Mount Tërbun forests, 40 Armed Forces personnel deployed
TIRANA, August 18 – Authorities continue to monitor a wildfire in the Fushë-Laja area of Puka Municipality, in the forests of Mount Tërbun. The Puka Fire Protection and Rescue Service and forestry service have worked at the site for several days. Local service employees, residents, volunteers and personnel from the …
6,396 all-electric vehicles registered in 7 months, up 126%
TIRANA, August 18 – Albania registered 6,396 all-electric vehicles for the first time between January and July 2026. The figure represents a 126% increase from the same period last year, according to the General Directorate of Road Transport Services. All-electric vehicles accounted for 40.5% of all newly registered zero-mileage vehicles …
414 applications from young farmers for agricultural investments
TIRANA, August 18 – Young farmers have submitted 414 applications for investments under the 2026 National Support Scheme, according to the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development. Livestock and agricultural mechanization account for the main investment priorities. Of the total, 223 applications seek funding to purchase animals. Another 164 applications …
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Antero Lopes, the new head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Kurti congratulated Lopes on his new position and wished him success during his mandate. The two officials discussed EULEX’s continued monitoring of Kosovo’s justice institutions and …
TIRANA, August 19 – British media outlet Wales Online reports that Albania is experiencing a surge in tourist demand as travelers seek more affordable alternatives to expensive Mediterranean destinations. Holiday bookings for Albania have risen by 293% compared with last year, according to Thomas Cook. Nicholas Smith, director of dynamic …
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania has 6 wildfire hotspots, with 4 still active and 2 under monitoring, the Ministry of Defence said in an update at 14:00. Authorities have deployed 126 local operational personnel. The Armed Forces are supporting the response with 90 personnel and 2 Air Force helicopters. On …
Albania is among 10 European countries that are not required to apply the new Entry/Exit System (EES) during the 2026 holiday season, British newspaper The Independent reports. Travel across Europe may become more complicated this year as the new biometric border system expands. The EES requires travelers to provide biometric …
Berat police have introduced measures to protect public safety during the Mount Tomorr pilgrimage, which runs from August 18 to 25, 2026. The measures aim to prevent road accidents, ease traffic and maintain public order. Police have deployed additional officers along roads leading to Mount Tomorr and around the Kulmak …
Five people suffered injuries today after two boats collided on Lake Koman, Shkodra Police reported. Police said the accident happened at around 3:15 p.m. The two boats reportedly collided accidentally. The five injured people remain out of danger. Other passengers on the boats escaped injury. Other boats helped bring the …
Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu met today with British Ambassador to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves at her office. According to the Presidency, Haxhiu and Hargreaves discussed recent political developments and the country’s institutional situation. They also discussed the need for political dialogue and efforts to overcome the current institutional deadlock, …
British DJ and producer duo CamelPhat will perform in Albania for the first time on August 21 in Dhërmi. Dave Whelan and Mike Di Scala rank among the biggest names in international electronic music. Prime Minister Edi Rama also announced their arrival on social media. The duo gained international recognition …
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania’s Under-21 national football team will compete at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which RTSH will broadcast. Albania Under-21 head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the tournament. He said the team wants to show the character, personality and mentality of Albanian football. Albania …
TIRANA, August 19 – Cultural and religious heritage sites have attracted strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists in Gjirokastër County this year. Churches, mosques, cultural monuments and historical sites have featured prominently in tourist itineraries. As a result, cultural and religious tourism has become one of the area’s main …