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Foreign tourists "drive away" the locals; High prices encourage record bookings by Albanians in Greece and Turkey

2024-07-16 07:16:00, Ekonomi CNA

Foreign tourists "drive away" the locals; High prices encourage record

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In the summer of 2024, Albanians have increased their preference for holidays in Turkey and Greece, despite the increase in prices by 10-15% this year in these countries.

With a cheap euro and much higher prices in the south of Albania, many tourists have chosen to spend their holidays in these popular destinations, taking advantage of the economic offers and comprehensive services. Travel agencies claim that bookings for Turkey and Greece have been at historic highs this year.

For years, Elona spent her holidays with her family in Qeparo, together with her husband and children. The choice was always a 2+1 apartment.

A year ago, the daily rent of the apartment was 120 euros, down from the 90-100 euros she had previously received, but still her choice did not change. When he asked to book this year, the same apartment cost 200 euros a night, but the owner told him that as a regular customer he could get it for 150 euros/night.

Elona says that this price seemed too high to her, moreover that even the daily umbrella already cost 3,000 Lek from 2,000 Lek before. "With the same standard, I found an apartment in the best area of ??Corfu, Greece, for 100 euros/night, and normally I will go there this year," she says.

Many of her friends have told her that in Himare the prices are even more expensive and are at least 30-40% more than a year ago. They have also calculated whether it is better to spend your holidays in the country or abroad.

Accommodation prices in the south of the country have risen significantly this year, by 25-30%, driven both by increased costs and by the demand of foreign tourists, especially in the first months of the year, as Albania was heavily advertised as foreign media as well as social networks, especially the south coast, and Ksamil that was labeled as the Maldives of Europe.

According to INSTAT, in the first 5 months of the year, the arrivals of foreign nationals reached 3.3 million, with an increase of 38% compared to the same period a year ago, or double, compared to 2019, before the start of the pandemic . The tightening of accommodation in the country has encouraged many Albanians, who used to spend their vacations in the South, to look for other alternatives abroad in destinations such as Greece, Turkey, or Montenegro, taking advantage of economic offers and comprehensive services. Previously, cheaper prices were a reason to rest within the country, but with the increase in recent years, especially in the south, for both accommodation and food, there is no longer any difference in cost.

Contacted by "Monitor", tourist agencies claim that bookings for Turkey and Greece have been at the highest historical levels this year, despite the fact that they have also seen package prices increase by 10-15% per year.

Despite the increase in prices for tourist packages, Turkey and Greece continue to be the main preferred and best-selling destinations in terms of numbers. This trend has been influenced by the free exchange rate of the euro, which has dampened the increase in prices. The euro is currently exchanged at around 100 ALL, from around 110 ALL a year ago, or 9% cheaper.

From "Ilirida Travel" they claim that more family packages to Turkey have been sold this year, compared to other years. They inform that the prices start at 700-800 euros/person and reach up to 1800 euros in some more luxurious resorts for a few days of stay.

The leaders of the "Union Travel" agency say that the most popular destinations in Greece are: Corfu, Halkidikia and Parga. The proximity and the possibility of reaching this destination even with private vehicles make it more visited and accessible by a good part of Albanians who choose to rest abroad. The offers for this destination are for four and five star hotels, for a 5 or 10 day stay. Another alternative is holidays in Corfu, starting from 400 euros/person in 4-star hotels; in Halkidiki, starting from 450 euros/person, according to "Union Travel", which are popular destinations over the years.

According to tourist agencies, even in these countries there has been a slight increase in prices, reaching up to 20% more than a year ago, but this year there have been more early bookings dating back to January 2024. Tourist operators claim that there are always economic choices for those who do not want an expensive vacation, with regional alternatives or resorts with fewer stars, but "half board", without all meals included, resulting in a cheaper price.

The most popular continue to be those holidays that we can call "hands in pockets", especially for families with children.

Albanians, even this year, are liking all-inclusive vacations, especially if they are traveling with their family. And the requests are more oriented towards Turkey, especially in the month of June, which has more favorable prices, according to the data of the "Ilirida Travel" agency.

According to "Zenith Travel", this year a slight increase in prices has been noticed, reflected for all destinations, not only Turkey, and "all-inclusive" resorts start at 750 euros per person. In Turkey, there are three destinations that are sought after because of the many offers: Antalya, Bodrum and Alanya.

Representatives of "Kalemi Travel" say that this year holiday offers have been increased in resorts with 4,000 euros/person, which previously had Russians as their target group.

According to communications made by Monitor with several agencies in the capital, Albanians in Turkey prefer to book in four- and five-star resorts with all or even "ultra all inclusive" services. Antalya is the main destination, followed by Kemer, Bodrum and Alania. The average length of stay is 6 nights. For a week, a family with 2 children spends a minimum of 2400 euros, up to 3900 euros.

"For the reservations of this period, unlike in previous years, there was a slight increase in prices in June. A package for staying in a five-star hotel, for 7 days, is offered at a price of 800 euros/person, at a time when two years ago, in the same period, this figure was around 500 euros/person", say the managers of ATHS agency.

Demand to travel to Montenegro is also high for Albanians during the summer season. Montenegro is a beautiful country with its wonderful coastline on the Adriatic Sea and mountainous landscapes. Even our neighbors have reflected an increase in the price of current packages, according to tourist agencies, by about 15%./ Monitor Magazine