When Albanians travel abroad, they spend more than the Italians, the French and the Spanish

2024-07-08 07:51:00, Aktualitet CNA

When Albanians travel abroad, they spend more than the Italians, the French and

Illustrative photo, taken from Google

The Albanian fans who invaded the cities of Germany in support of the Albanian National Team were a surprise for the locals and the media of the country that is hosting "Euro 2024".

In addition to the enthusiasm, their high number was another element that attracted attention, with 50 thousand fans in the stadium and another 50 thousand in "occupying" Dortmund.

Although there were many immigrants among them, many Albanians were not spared to follow their favorite team. In fact, the data of the World Tourism Organization, processed by "Monitor" show that the Albanians, who were again ranked last in per capita income in Europe, are not very frugal in their trips abroad, even "competing ” with countries that have much higher per capita incomes than us.

According to the World Trade Organization, in 2023, the spending of Albanians abroad was 2.5 billion dollars. In relation to the population, the average expenditure per inhabitant was 1040 dollars per year, according to data processed by "Monitor".

Italians, who are also labeled as the most frugal in Albania, have an average expenditure per resident of 580 dollars per year. For the French, this indicator is 721 dollars, for the Spanish 578. The Greeks are known as people who do not travel abroad for vacations, and have an expenditure per inhabitant of 278 dollars.

Albanians also hold the record in the region. The Serbs, who come second behind us, spend almost half as much ($495).

Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are ranked at the bottom of the list, with respectively 162 and 124 dollars, leaving behind only the Turks, who have an indicator of 93 dollars. Data for Kosovo and North Macedonia are missing.

In Europe, the record for travel expenses is held by the coldest, but also wealthiest countries. In the first place is Iceland, with expenses of almost 4,200 dollars/inhabitant for trips abroad, followed by Norway (3,300), Switzerland (almost 2,700), Ireland (almost 2,000), Denmark, about 1,800 dollars.

More and more trips abroad

Since 2011, when visas were liberalized, the exits of Albanian citizens abroad have marked a continuous increase. From 3.4 million exits in 2010, the indicator reached almost 6 million in 2019.

After a significant drop in 2020, as a result of restrictions imposed by the pandemic, movements abroad began to increase rapidly, reaching a record of 6.9 million in 2023, according to data published by INSTAT.

The entry of low-cost airline operators, as ticket prices dropped to 20 euros one way, have influenced more and more citizens to travel abroad for vacations, or to visit immigrant relatives.

In the same line with the exits, the expenses of Albanians abroad have also increased. According to data from the Bank of Albania, for the year 2023, the money that went out in the form of travel was 2.3 billion euros, from 1 billion euros in 2010. Compared to the previous year, spending abroad increased by 32%./ Monitor