Tourists spend record €1bn in first quarter

Foreign tourists spent more than €1bn in Albania in the first three months of 2026, the first time tourism income has crossed that mark so early in the year.

Bank of Albania balance-of-payments data show spending by foreign visitors rose 14.8% from the same period last year.

The figure is also more than 27% higher than in the first quarter of 2024.

Albanians also spent more on trips abroad, with outgoing travel expenses rising to €640.9m.

Tourism still left the economy with a positive net balance of €362.9m.

The inflow of foreign currency is also helping strengthen the lek against the euro.