Tourism minister says protests hurt June tourism

Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja said protests outside the prime minister’s office have hurt tourism after June recorded weak growth.

Gonxhja told Report TV that tourist numbers rose by just over 1% from June last year, after stronger growth earlier in the season.

He said June was the weakest month so far this year and warned that protests could damage one of Albania’s main economic sectors.

Gonxhja also defended the Kanye West concert planned in Tirana, saying major international events are part of the tourism economy.