Lacy shores with turquoise waters, rich nature, mountain resorts nearby, impressive hotels, welcoming people, guests from all over the world and, most importantly, at an affordable price.

Our neighbor’s reason Albania, a relatively “unknown” destination for the average Greek tourist, but not for the rest of the world who is already visiting the country on holiday. This can be seen in the impressive growth in arrivals both compared to last year (+29.3% in eight months) and before the pandemic.

“This is a developing tourist area. If people find out, they won’t come to us,” she says. “TO” Eutyhis Sargetakis, who crossed Albania on a motorcycle with his wife in early August and shared his experience on YouTube.

As he explains, he was looking for a holiday in popular Ionian destinations such as Parga, Syvota and Kefalonia, but could not find a room for less than 100 euros per night. In the end, he decided to spend his vacation in Albania, where, without even a reservation, he found a room in Agios Saranda in a four-star hotel with breakfast for 42 euros and a suite in Tirana for 32 euros (the national currency is the lek).

Gasoline was also more economical, approx. 1.60 euros per liter (when here in the summer it was over 2 euros). FROM from 15 euros to 35 euros with a drink you can have a hearty lunch for two, and the price of coffee ranges from 0.35 to 2 euros.

In addition to the beauties of the neighboring country, Mr. Sargetakis highlights the excellent condition of its road network and, in general, infrastructure who have become incredible hospitality Albanians and their quality kitchen. “This is an authentic destination, more relaxed compared to Greece,” he notes.

Of course, the “perversions” of mass tourism began to affect Albania as well. “It happened on the beaches too… “solarium war”while traffic along the axis of the coastal road was quite heavy in borders with both Greece and Montenegro were formed kilometer queues,” adds Mr. Sargetakis.

The second best result in the world in terms of international arrivals compared to 2019

This, of course, proves how popular Albania has become.

In general, according to the Albanian Statistical Institute (INSTAT), 347,452 Greeks visited Albania this year between January and August, i.e. 25.47% compared to all of last year.

It is assumed that by the end of the year the number of Greek visitors will be quite close to its figures. 2019when 596 844 our fellow citizens traveled to a neighboring country.

The data on international arrivals is impressive. Generally, more than 5.6 million foreign tourists visited Albania in the first eight months of 2022, and this number does not include arrivals from Kosovo, who average over 2 million people per year during the same period.

In a recent report by the International Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Albania second best score in the world as a destination for seven months of this year (January-July), with 19% more international arrivals compared to 2019, a record year for tourism.

Accordingly, it had the fourth best record in terms of earnings, with 32% more income from foreign tourists in the period January-July 2022 compared to 2019.

Great interest in mountain tourism

But who are those who go to Albania? Compared to last year, INSTAT recorded 225% visitor growth from Spain60% from Germany, 50% from France and the UK and 3.8% from the Netherlands.

And maybe in the summer the interest of tourists is concentrated on the popular seaside areas (Heimarra, Durres, Avlona, ​​Agio Saranda, Leza, Bors), but it is interesting that 41% visitors preferred northern Albania.

Especially in winter, there is an influx of people on the northern borders of the country, as people from Central Europe come to enjoy Lake Shkoder or Dinaric Alps, which offer many activities for climbers and not only.

Already in August, preparations for the next tourist year began in Albania, with hotel occupancy reaching 100% in many parts of the country, with bookings until the end of October.