Albanian Visitors Drive Ioannina’s Tourism Growth in 2023

Photo source: Travel Ioannina

Nearly 220,000 visitors from Albania stayed in the town of Ioannina in Greece during 2023, significantly supporting the local economy, according to data provided by the Ioannina Region Hotels Association. Ioannina is the capital of the Region of Epirus in northwestern Greece.

According to the association’s former president and current board member, Stathis Sioutis, last year’s figures of Albanian tourists in Ioannina, highlights the strong ties cultivated over decades between the populations and businesses on both sides of the Greek-Albanian border.

Citing data from INSETE, Sioutis said the Region of Epirus welcomed 1.7 million visitors in 2023. Of these, 219,000 were from Albania, 80,000 from Germany, and 76,000 from the United Kingdom.

During the same year, tourist receipts for Epirus totaled 330 million euros, with 46 million from German visitors, 42 million from Albanian visitors, and 41 million from British visitors.

Photo source: Travel Ioannina

Sioutis highlights that visitors from Albania for decades have been the most significant in terms of both numbers and spending, after Greek visitors, for the town of Ioannina.

“Their arrivals are consistent, making them a vital source of income for the local economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, and the retail sector,” he said.

Moreover, visitors from Albania, some of whom are of Greek descent, travel to Ioannina for business, entertainment, or medical services. The two city hospitals and private doctors in the area provide high-quality healthcare, drawing many Albanian visitors for treatment.

Business ties between Ioannina and Albania also remain strong. Many companies in Ioannina have long-standing collaborations with Albanian businesses, with new partnerships continuing to form, benefiting both sides.

Since 2016, when data collection began, the Albanian market has been a stable source of tourism and revenue for the region. Most visitors from Albania arrive by road, and with the opening of the new Inter-European axis road connecting Ioannina with Kakavia on the Greek-Albanian border, the number of Albanian visitors is expected to increase further.