The most important indicator of tourism development is the number of foreigners visiting Albania, and the revenues collected from tourism. At the same time, in order to compare the development of tourism in a country it is important to calculate the tourism capacities of the country.
During 2010, the number of visitors was 2.3 million, compared to 1.8 million from the previous year. This is a 29% growth versus 2009. Graphically , the number of foreign visitors during the recent years has changed as shown below:
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports
Analysis and Comments: Open Data Albania
*Data for 2011 is of May
Over the years, with the exception of 2009, the month with the largest influx of foreign visitors has been the month of August, which coincides with the summer tourism in the coastal areas. Whereas the rest of the months have a much more limited number of visitors. This shows that apart from water tourism, the other types of tourism are underdeveloped.
In the last three years, the revenues from foreign visitors have been as follows:
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports
Analysis and Comments: Open Data Albania
As you can see from the data,during 2008 and 2009 the revenues from visitors have increased by 11%, while the number of visitors increased by 34%. The same trend in noticeable during 2007-2008 as the revenues increased by 17%, while the number of visitors increased by 21%. Even though the number of visitors is an important indicator of the tourism development for a country, it is important to analyze dhe revenue increase coming from this activity.
The hotel occupancy has changed as shown below:
Source: INSTAT
Analysis and Comments: Open Data Albania
In 2010, the number of hotels was 290, or 19% more than in 2009. The number of beds in 2010 was 11,793, or 8% more than in 2009. Based on this data, the capacity of Albanian hotels has not yet adapted to the increase in the number of foreign visitors. As a result one could understand why a good part of the visitors has found accomodation at private individual homes, which are unregistered.
It is very important that Albania develops all types of tourism, not just the water tourism, in order to maximize revenues. At the same time considerable improvement is warranted in terms of the quality of serice, cleanliness, order and all other factors that play a role in not only increasing the number of tourists visiting Albania out of curiosity, but also the number of people that revisit it due to having had a pleasant experience.
Contributed by: R.E