Record revenue from tourism, foreigners spent almost 4 billion euros in Albania in nine months

Almost 4 billion euros in nine months. That's how much money the foreign tourists who visited Albania spent until September. The data from the Bank of Albania show that compared to January-September of a year ago, the expenses of foreign vacationers have increased by 641 million euros or 20 percent.

"We are all witnesses of the flows of foreign tourists entering Albania", said Blerina Ago, tourism expert.

From January to September, a total of 9.6 million foreigners visited the country. On average, each tourist turns out to have spent less than 400 euros, including travel and accommodation, thus repeating the paradox of the "boom of free vacationers".

"Albania should not focus on numbers. The ratio we want is that of expenses. We need tourists who spend. There are many studies that show that there are categories of tourists who spend up to 58 percent of their income on vacation. We need these", said the expert.

The tempting fable "vacation with little expenses in Albania" is also accepted by the Pole Jan, who has come for vacation in Tirana.

"Coming to Albania is more of a curiosity. We found cheap tickets and thought to come. Also, the prices of houses for rent are cheap. About 40 euros a day is enough. Even the food is not very expensive. We don't go to restaurants because it costs too much," said a Polish tourist.

In a similar line to the expenses of foreign tourists, those of Albanian vacationers who preferred to spend their days off from work have also gone. Data from the Central Bank show that from the beginning of the year until September, Albanians have spent over 2 billion euros on holidays abroad. Compared to January-September of the previous year, the figure has increased by 326 million euros or 19.1 percent.

"Albanians are willing vacationers as they are spenders. They don't save like some tourists who come to Albania", said Rrahman Kasa, head of the Albanian tourist union.

However, data from the Bank of Albania show that, on average, an Albanian who goes abroad on vacation spends 349 euros. This figure is about 50 euros less than what foreign tourists spend on average when they come to Albania. /Telegraph/