In 2025, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment will prioritize sustainable tourism development and protected areas.
The 2025 budget, which represents an increase of 7.9% compared to the 2024 budget, was presented by Minister Kumbaro to the Commission for Productive Activity, Trade, and Environment.
During her presentation, Kumbaro emphasized that 9.7 million foreign visitors visited Albania, which is 17% higher than in the same period last year. Meanwhile, in the first half of 2024, tourism brought in 2 billion ALL, 500 million euros more than in the first half of 2023.
“Tourists have shown two key characteristics this year, and we expect these characteristics to become much more pronounced in 2025. The first is gradual expansion, and the second is geographic expansion. 4.5 million domestic and foreign visitors visited protected areas in the first nine months, surpassing the total number of visitors in 2023, while 1.1 million people visited cultural sites,” said Minister Kumbaro.
Minister Kumbaro also discussed the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s two major initiatives for 2025, which represent a 19% increase over 2024:
“Due to domestic investments and salary increases resulting from government initiatives, the project budget for 2025 increases by ALL +306 million, or 7.9%, compared to 2024. A total of ALL 49 million more is budgeted for recurrent expenditure in 2025, with the National Agency for Protected Areas receiving the full increase to cover costs associated with improved management of these regions.
First, infrastructure construction, with a total of ALL 523 million over three years, with a focus on the water-oriented ECO-Park-Ulza. Work began this year on the ALL 200 million earmarked for 2025. The PBAs for 2025-2027 also include this significant investment.
Second, the Multifunctional Center, which will cost ALL 690 million, will be built on the Vjosa River. Construction is expected to start this year, and we are already in the procurement phase. The budget for this significant investment is planned for all three years,” stressed Minister Kumbaro, adding that other projects in protected areas, such as mountain routes and watchtowers, are also planned.
In the environmental sector, Minister Kumbaro announced that the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, in cooperation with partners, will invest in waste management through international programs and will support coastal municipalities in cleaning the coastline between June 15 and September 15, 2025, through the National Coastal Agency.
The Minister concluded by mentioning important projects, such as the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy 2024-2030, the “ITB Berlin” fair, where Albania will be the host country in 2025, and the “Fitur” exhibition in Spain.