Albania’s tourism sector is at a historic crossroads. In 2024, the nation achieved a record-breaking 11.7 million international arrivals—a 15.2% increase that has established us as a leading Mediterranean destination. The International Monetary Fund projects our GDP growth to average 3.5% through 2029, largely driven by this tourism boom. However, this macroeconomic success masks a growing “people shortage” that threatens the very heart of our hospitality. As the country opens…

As part of our project, we compiled a collection of Best Practices in sustainable tourism from Germany, France, and Spain. These examples are intended to serve as a model and, above all, an inspiration for Albanian schools, educators, and students, demonstrating how sustainability can be effectively promoted and implemented in everyday operations—even when resources are limited. The Best Practice collection includes 28 examples in the areas of: Resource management Waste…

Why Albanian Hospitality SMEs Must Embrace Circular Tourism Now. Albania’s tourism sector is booming, with 11.7 million visitors in 2024—a 35% increase compared to 2022 and officials expect that number to rise to 15 million by the end of 2025 — a figure nearly four times the country’s population. While this growth brings economic opportunities, it also presents critical challenges: Overburdened waste management, especially in coastal and rural areas. High…

Economy Challenges, Assessment of Barriers, and Opportunities in Tourism. 🌍 Moving Toward Circular Tourism in Albania: Key Challenges, Barriers & Emerging Opportunities Albania’s tourism sector is growing rapidly, and with that comes an increasing demand for more sustainable and circular solutions. As its first result, the CIRCULAR TOURISM project has produced a study on the key challenges to implementing circular economy principles in Albanian tourism. Here are some of the…

CIRCULAR TOURISM Meet the Partnership With more than 11.7 million visitors in 2024, Albania is becoming a top travel destination. But rapid growth comes with responsibility. How can tourism evolve without compromising the environment, local communities, or long-term viability? CIRCULAR TOURISM is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET), created to address this challenge. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of VET…

Introducing Circular Tourism Albania: A Step Towards Sustainable Growth Albania’s tourism sector is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with a 35% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2022. While this growth signals economic opportunity, it also raises critical concerns: How can Albania ensure sustainable tourism development? How can local businesses and vocational education institutions integrate circular economy principles? And how can tourism professionals be equipped with the necessary skills for a…