Tourism slows down in July, foreigners increased by only 2.8 percent

2024-08-26 13:19:00, Ekonomi CNA

After months of double-digit growth, tourism in July grew by only 2.7 percent, giving clear signs of slowing and confirming the situation that tour operators and accommodation structures reported in the first part of this month.

The official data published by the Institute of Statistics on the movement of citizens show that in July 1.81 million foreigners entered, bringing the total number of entries of this group in the first 7 months of the year to 6.36 million with a 23.2% increase compared to the 7th month. of a year ago.

"During the month of July 2024, 2,624,207 Albanian citizens and foreigners entered the territory of the Republic of Albania. This indicator has increased by 2.7%, compared to July 2023. 2,350,448 Albanian citizens and foreigners have left the territory of the Republic of Albania, marking an increase of 10.2%, compared to the same period of the previous year. Entry of citizens In July 2024, the number of Albanian citizens who entered the Albanian territory is 805,829, experiencing an increase of 2.8%, compared to July 2023. The number of foreign citizens who entered the Albanian territory is 1,818,378 . This number has increased by 2.7%, compared to the same period of 2023," states the publication of INSTAT.

At the end of June and in the first part of July, accommodation structures on the coast gave clear signs of pessimism for bookings which were lower than expectations, as the chain effect of price increases in some regions caused massive cancellations, mainly by Italians. Likewise, the structures have confirmed a lower presence of Kosovo citizens in the Golem area but also in the South of the country and somewhat more present in Shengjin and Velipoja, two markets with more economical prices and traditionally frequented by them.

According to tour operators, the best performance of tourism began to be recorded in the second half of July, as the correction of prices in a part of the structures and the coast positively affected August, which had a relatively better tourist presence than July, according to tour operators. According to them, this slowdown of the summer season is expected to be compensated for by autumn, which also seems to have performed better than last year as a result of advance reservations.

"In July 2024, 95% of the arrivals of foreign citizens in Albania are from the European region. Southern Europe accounts for 71% of the arrivals of foreign nationals from the European continent, followed by Central/Eastern Europe with 10%

The purpose of entry into the Albanian territory of foreign citizens, in 99% of cases, is for personal purposes, dominated by entries for holidays, visiting relatives, etc. In July 2024, this indicator has marked an increase of 3.7%, compared to July 2023. In the month of July, there was also a significant increase in the arrivals of foreign citizens for business and professional purposes, by 50.9%, INSTAT estimates.

Exits of citizens

"In the month of July 2024, 704,699 Albanian citizens are counted to have left the territory of Albania, marking an increase of 1.7%, compared to July 2023. The exits of foreign citizens from the territory of Albania during the month of July 2024 are 1,645,749. Compared to the same period a year ago, this indicator has increased by 14.3%," the publication underlines./ Monitor