The number of foreign tourists who visited Albania in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 3.2% compared to the same quarter of last year, reaching 1.68 million, the statistical office, INSTAT, said on Friday.
Tourists from Southern Europe made the largest group of tourists, with a 80.6% share, followed by tourists from Western Europe, at 5%, INSTAT said in a data release.
Data published by the INSTAT report show that the flow of visitors has reflected a significant acceleration of tourism and personal travel, especially after the first two months of the year, when movements were slower.
In March alone, Albania welcomed 609,363 foreign tourists, up 10.8% compared to the same month of 2025. Tourism associations in the country have confirmed positive expectations for the tourist season, considering this trend a signal of optimism for the increase in the flow of visitors throughout the year, with a direct impact on the country’s economic and tourism sectors.
Total arrivals to the country during March reached 1,289,468 people, of whom 680,105 were Albanian citizens, marking a higher increase than the average for foreign visitors.
Departures from the country reached 1,282,702 people. Foreign nationals who visited Albania come mainly from Europe, with Southern Europe accounting for 80% of arrivals, while Western Europe contributes 7%.
Many visitors also come from the USA and Africa, reflecting a diversification of tourist sources.
Arrivals of foreigners coming from the USA increased by 45% during the first three months of the year, reflecting an increase in this group’s interest in Albania. In January-March 2026, there were 14,390 US citizens, while a year ago, for the same period, there were over 9,800.
Some 97% of foreign arrivals were for personal purposes, while business and professional trips were lower in number.
From January to March 2026, total arrivals reached 3,586,699 people, an increase of 6.4% compared to the same period last year, while the number of departures reached 3,716,425, an increase of 2.9%. This trend reflects an acceleration in tourism activity and personal travel, driven by a combination of seasonal and international factors.
The number of foreign tourists who visited Albania in 2025 rose 6.6% to 12.47 million, INSTAT said last month.
The population of Albania was estimated at 2.4 million as of September 2023, INSTAT has said.