New tourist information office to promote Shkodër destinations and local offers
TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër Municipality is setting up a new tourist information office in the city centre. The facility will guide visitors and provide information about local destinations, activities and tourism services. The office will have dedicated staff and digital services. Visitors will receive free information throughout the day. …
FM Hoxha responds to Serbian counterpart over Ibër: Using water as punishment poisons peaceful coexistence
TIRANA, August 11 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has responded to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over the dispute surrounding the Ibër River. Duric said Albania had no hydrological basis to comment on Serbia’s management of its water resources. Hoxha said Albania would react if someone threatened Serbia’s water supply. …
Albania’s Justice minister Gogu: Justice is not certified by one ruling, but proven every day
TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …
218 more births than deaths in Albania in second quarter, Tirana records highest natural increase
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …
Customs revenue reaches ALL 23.5 billion in July
TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …
Civil emergency budget rises more than 13-fold in seven years
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …
Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …
Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration
Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …
High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings
TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …
Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Nature tourism continues to grow in Albania as more visitors choose national parks and protected areas to explore the country’s natural heritage. In a video message shared on social media, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted several natural destinations that visitors can explore at the weekend, including Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, Llogara …
International media continue to highlight Albania as an emerging tourism destination. Recent articles focus on the country’s natural landscapes, coastline, cultural heritage, and lesser-known travel experiences. The Agency for Media and Information has shared several international articles published this week. Indonesian outlet “IDN Times” highlights the traditional streets and houses …
Ura e Vashës has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Klos area. The historic bridge is attracting a growing number of Albanian and international visitors this summer. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the bridge on social media. He highlighted it as a popular destination …
TIRANA, August 31 – The wildfire situation has worsened in the Shkopet area as flames spread rapidly through the villages of Trodhen and Lundra e Madhe in Mat and moved toward the Kurbin area. The fire is advancing toward the Skanderbeg mountain range, increasing the risk to homes, farmland and …
TIRANA, August 31 – The archive of the Migjeni Theatre in Shkodër preserves an important part of the institution’s history. Photographs, documents, posters and other materials record its activities over the years and the artists who have performed on its stage. Archivist Astrit Fani said the archive needs better conditions …
Durrës has topped a list of Europe’s best-value beach destinations, according to the US media outlet “Quartz”. The list brings together eight coastal destinations that offer travelers a combination of beaches, history, culture, gastronomy, and affordable prices. “Quartz” highlights destinations stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and from …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha shared images of Tamara, Lepushë, and Vermosh on X. He highlighted the beauty of the Albanian Alps and their growing potential for mountain tourism. “Here, nature knows no limits, beauty becomes wealth, hospitality becomes law, and tradition becomes identity,” Hoxha wrote. He …
TIRANA, August 31 – Bakeries have been part of life in Korça for hundreds of years. Around 1850, the city had several bakeries in Varosh, Kasaba and the former Çarshia. They prepared bread as well as meat dishes, beans, tripe and other traditional foods. Historical documents show that Korça bakers …
Traditional Labëria music is reaching a new generation. For the third year in a row, musician Vendim Kapaj will offer a free fyell course in Vlora. The course will run from September 2026 to July 2027. It will teach the fyell and other traditional instruments. Young people from across southern …