Albania under pressure from tourist influx and its impact on daily life and health

Statistical data shows a significant increase in the entries and exits of individuals in Albanian territory in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Below, we analyze in detail the changes and their impact:

1. General entries and exits

Period	January 2024	January 2025	Annual change (%)
Total entries	1,030,014	1,158,204	+12.4%
Total exits	1,217,684	1,360,299	+11.7%

• Entries increased by 12.4%, indicating a positive trend in foreign visits and movements of Albanians.
• Exits increased by 11.7%, which shows higher circulation of the population inside and outside the country.

2. Movements of Albanian and foreign citizens

Period	Entries	Exits
Albanians 2024	540,415	644,768
Albanians 2025	597,808	717,698
Annual change	+10.6%	+11.3%
Foreigners 2024	489,599	572,916
Foreigners 2025	560,396	642,601
Annual change	+14.5%	+12.2%

• The increase in entries of Albanians (+10.6%) indicates a greater return of emigrants or a more active dynamic of their movements.
• The increase in entries of foreigners (+14.5%) suggests a rise in tourism or visits for various reasons.
• The increase in exits of Albanians (+11.3%) shows that more Albanians have traveled abroad for tourism, work, or emigration.
• The increase in exits of foreigners (+12.2%) shows greater circulation of tourists or travelers who visit Albania for a short period.

3. Entries of foreigners by regions

Region	January 2024	January 2025	Annual change (%)
Africa	520	1,222	+135.0%
America	8,867	11,030	+24.4%
East Asia & Pacific	2,157	3,587	+66.3%
Middle East	601	993	+65.2%
South Asia	964	2,089	+116.7%
Europe	475,563	541,035	+13.8%
Unspecified regions	927	440	-52.5%

• Europe remains the main source of tourists (97% of entries), with Southern Europe accounting for 87% of total European tourists.
• Large increases occurred in entries from Africa (+135%), South Asia (+116.7%), and the Middle East (+65.2%), showing a diversification of tourist sources.
• America and East Asia & Pacific also show significant increases (+24.4% and +66.3%), which may indicate impact from new promotional policies or visa facilitations.

4. Interpretation of data and influencing factors

Positive effects from January 2025 statistics on the flux of entries and exits of Albanian and foreign citizens show:

✅ The increase in the number of entries and exits indicates a rise in tourism and economic activity.
✅ Diversification of tourist sources (increase from Africa, America, Asia) suggests an effective tourism promotion strategy.
✅ Southern Europe dominates as the main source of visitors, which is expected due to geographic and economic ties.

However, challenges and issues to monitor must be evaluated:

⚠ The increase in exits of Albanians (+11.3%) may signal high emigration, not just tourism.
⚠ The rise in winter tourism might be linked to temporary factors (visa easing, lower prices), but it requires deeper analysis to understand the sustainability of this trend.
⚠ Unspecified regions experienced a drastic decline (-52.5%), which may indicate changes in data registration or loss of interest from some markets.

The movements of foreign citizens in Albania during January 2025 show a significant increase in entries and exits, having a dual impact on the country’s economy and health. This influx can offer economic opportunities but also brings increased risks to health and significant pressure on infrastructure and the management measures of this flow.

The increase in foreign entries (+14.5%) has a direct impact on tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors. This may continue contributing to income growth for local businesses and create new employment opportunities, reducing seasonal unemployment and stimulating economic development in areas reliant on tourism.

The rise in the number of tourists appears to help improve the country’s balance of payments, bringing foreign currency and reducing dependence on the export of other goods and services.

Meanwhile, if the increase in the number of tourists from different regions (Africa, Asia, America) continues, this fact indicates diversification of income sources and offers opportunities for developing new strategies to attract different tourist groups, making the tourism sector more sustainable and diverse.

But, attention is still lacking regarding contingency planning while entering the process of diversifying the economy, since the increase in income from tourism may be unsustainable, as this sector is sensitive to unexpected changes in economic and political conditions in international markets. In the event of global crises, border closures, or other negative developments, Albania will face a sudden drop in tourists and significant income losses.

The increased flow of tourists and emigrants is creating pressure on existing and under-development infrastructures, such as: roads, water and sewage systems, and health services, creating the need for additional investments and correction of budget allocations and policies. This pressure has raised the demand for support costs to mitigate the negative effect it is having in creating an overcrowded environment for citizens and tourists.

The high influx of tourists from various regions (especially Africa, Middle East, and Asia) may pose a risk for the spread of infectious diseases. Given that many citizens may come from countries with different hygiene and health protection levels, opportunities may arise for the spread of diseases that can quickly affect the local population.

A large flow of people, including tourists and emigrants, can create pressure on hospitals and health structures, increasing the likelihood of overload and shortage of resources for patient treatment. This pressure can cause the health service to be slower and less effective for all citizens.

Albania still has weak protective measures and lacks a strong system for managing the high flow of travelers. Despite potential improvements in health and hygiene systems, the response to health crises may remain weak and may exhibit delays in reaction.

On the other hand, the increased flow of tourists requires better coordination between ministries, local authorities, and health services. For now, the lack of a clear plan for managing this flow and a reactive approach may create obstacles in rapid and effective actions.