Foreign visitors spent a record €2.38 billion in Albania during the first six months of 2026, according to the latest data from the Bank of Albania. The figure marks the highest level ever recorded for the first half of a year. It also confirms the growing role of tourism in the Albanian economy.
Compared with the first half of 2025, spending by foreign visitors increased by 13.4%. Tourist spending grew faster than the number of foreign arrivals. This indicates that visitors also spent more on average during their stay.
According to data from the Bank of Albania and INSTAT, a foreign visitor spent around €470 on average in Albania during the first six months of the year. Last year, the average stood at around €440.
In total, nearly 5.1 million foreign citizens entered Albania during the period. This represents a 6.2% increase compared with the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, Albanians spent around €1.4 billion on trips abroad. This figure increased by 9.5% year-on-year.
The difference between spending by foreign visitors in Albania and spending by Albanians abroad reached €957 million during the first half of the year. This marks the highest level recorded for the period. As a result, the positive travel balance moved closer to the €1 billion mark.
The positive travel balance plays an important role in the services sector. It also brings foreign currency into the Albanian economy. Albania has recorded a positive travel balance since 2015. The gap has continued to widen over the years.
The latest data show that tourism’s economic impact goes beyond the number of visitors. Increasingly, the value of their spending during their stay also matters.
Overall, the double-digit increase in tourist spending stands out. Foreign arrivals rose by 6.2%, while spending increased by 13.4%. This trend points to stronger tourism performance and a greater contribution to Albania’s economy.
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