Albania has hit the tourism jackpot, with the country named “Country of Honour” at the world’s biggest international tourism fair in 2025.
Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed the nation’s meteoric rise as a travel hotspot, shaking off its past image as the “North Korea of Europe.”
Citing the UN’s World Tourism Organization, Rama said Albania is the fastest-growing travel destination globally. Even German giant Bild, once critical of the country, now calls Albania the “next big thing” for sun-seekers.
“Just a few years ago, this would have been unthinkable,” said Rama. “Now, Albania is expected to be a red-hot destination for 2025.”
The country’s main airport has also smashed records, becoming the fastest-growing in Europe, with 11 million travelers in 2024—overtaking Belgrade.
With a surge of German visitors and a spot in the top three of global tourism growth, Rama boldly compared Albania’s rise to Germany winning the World Cup.
The message is clear: Albania is no longer a hidden gem—it’s a tourism powerhouse.
