We are in that season of end-of-year travel when travel agencies release their latest offers and airports fill up with suitcases designed not only for gifts, but for a change of years that requires a break from routine.
For Albanians, the choice patterns this year show a clear combination between quick relaxation, visits to European capitals and a deliberate move towards more distant and luxurious destinations, from Dubai to Croatia and Montenegro, where the package offer becomes the main ally of families and groups who want a “closed” package without logistical surprises.
Figures published on the websites of agencies working with the Albanian market show that demand for New Year and Christmas remains closely linked to organized packages: 3-4 day trips to the capitals of Eastern and Western Europe, which come with prices from around 345 euros to 550 euros per person, and more luxurious offers to the Middle East that reach 900 euros per person when flights and accommodation in 4-5 star hotels are included. This panorama of packages, from Vienna and Barcelona to Paris and Dubai, is visible in the catalogs of Albanian agencies for the end of the year.
In terms of destinations, the trend is not just a return to traditional places. While Vienna, Paris and the large cities of Western Europe remain favorites for those looking for illuminated Christmas markets and organized public festivities, a significant portion of Albanian travelers are choosing closer cities but different in atmosphere: Istanbul remains a “dual” destination accessible by flight time and rich in cultural offerings, while the coastal destinations of the Balkans such as Budva, Kotor or Dubrovnik are positioning themselves as reasonable alternatives for those who want a year-end with less air travel and more nature, traditional dinners and local events, according to communications with agencies in the country.
Trend this year
The latest trend shows that Albanians are moving from relatively standard holiday trips to unique winter experiences, with a growing share aiming not only for trips to beautiful cities, but also places where the holiday spirit seems to be part of its most authentic nature, a trend that is expected to strengthen for the upcoming holiday seasons. Prices for packages to Lapland during the holiday period are significantly higher than a traditional trip to Europe.
Packages that include flights, accommodation for several nights, exploration of the area, and festive dinners usually start at around 1,000 euros per person and up, and for more luxurious packages or those with more themed activities, they can reach 2,000 euros per person if additional nights, transfers, and a guide for viewing the northern lights, known as the Aurora borealis, are also included.
These figures are close to the typical costs of full packages to luxury destinations like Dubai or Oman, Singapore, the Maldives, but for many Albanian travelers they are justified by the “magical” experience of the Arctic winter that is not found in traditional city or beach locations.
Another trend this year was Cairo, especially after the massive advertising for the opening of the Museum in this city, which is considered the largest museum in the world for a single civilization. Packages for Egypt start from 650 euros per person for 4 nights of accommodation.
cost
The average cost of packages also provides an indicator of consumer behavior: for a 3-4 night city break in a European city with flights and a 3-4 star hotel, prices continue to fluctuate around 350–550 euros per person, while shorter packages outside Europe or with better accommodation (4-5 stars and special events for the turn of the year) can reach 800–900 euros per person.
“All-inclusive” services or packages to destinations like Dubai, which also require longer flights and exclusive services for year-end changes, explain the higher part of the price range.
On the other hand, more economical offers for regional trips, for example 2-3 day packages on the Montenegrin coast or a Dubrovnik–Budva itinerary with bus and hotel with prices of around 100–200 euros, come as alternatives for families with more limited budgets. These price levels reflect not only the cost of flights and accommodation, but also the pressure on services during peak season periods.
A significant change compared to the first post-pandemic years appears in the booking mode: Albanian consumers are looking for more “closed” packages with local assistance, Albanian-speaking guides and safe transfers, while some of the recent trips are made with low-cost flights combined with self-booked accommodation and a guide with help from Chatgpt.
Continuous promotional offers from low-cost airlines and seasonal sales like Black Friday have reduced the cost of flights for certain periods, but for the peak period (around December 24 to January 2), low availability and baggage/transfer surcharges often turn a cheap ticket into a higher total expense.
The effect is twofold: some travelers who want to save tend to book shorter distances and bus packages, while those looking for a “festive” experience with organized activities choose the more expensive packages that include gala dinners and special activities.
Growing luxury
As a result of the combination of these factors, agencies in the capital indicate that it is expected that the weight of regional trips and organized getaways for the 25th-26th-27th-28th will increase even for the holidays, as it is reported that Friday has been taken as a massive day off, to benefit from a 4-day vacation.
Albanian tourist agencies are describing a season where the diversity of demand (from families wanting safe packages to couples seeking romantic getaways) will determine the offer: more packages with guides in Albanian, offers for groups and other event packaging (concerts, special dinners).
Regarding the economic impact, increased demand, especially for packages that include flights and accommodation, will bring cash flow to local tour operators and related services, but will also increase pressure on availability and prices during peak periods.
For New Year’s Eve, operators report that most requests are within the country, while getaways are preferred from the 1st onwards, where according to them, the diversity of requests starts from skiing in the region for 250 euros per person, to the beach in the Maldives or Dubai for packages over 1300 euros per person/Monitor