How many arrivals travel on to Albania from Corfu Port

The number of passengers travelling to Albania via Corfu Port is increasing again this year, confirming the trend towards the neighbouring country as a highly promising destination and a now significant competitor. According to official data from Corfu Port Authority, 33,570 passengers traveled to the neighbouring country in the first five months of 2024, compared to 24,720 in the corresponding period last year.

All months of this year are showing an increase, according to the available data from January to May. However, the numbers for May are particularly impressive, with 20,706 passengers travelling to Albania compared to 14,792 in the same month last year, an increase of 5,914.

Mainly for holidays

These numbers also include those who visit the neighbouring country for a day trip and then return to Corfu. Maritime agents operating on the route told Enimerosi that passenger traffic to Albania via our port is also showing a gradual increase this year, whether it is day visitors or tourists visiting the country for their summer relaxation, as it is an affordable destination with reasonable prices.

"Most people who travel to Albania go for holidays. They usually stay for 3-7 days. There is also traffic for day trips," maritime agent Petros Papikinos told Enimerosi. He added that these are mainly low and middle-income tourists who stay briefly in Corfu and then head to the neighbouring country for holidays.

Easier Access

Corfu Port seems to be preferred due to easier access to the tourist resorts of southern Albania, as Tirana's airport is quite far from these destinations, and the new airport in Vlora is still under construction. In March, when the season opened, 2,356 passengers travelled to Albania via the port of Corfu, compared to 1,485 in the same month last year, and in April, 8,130 compared to 6,623 in the same month last year.

Albania has already made strides in tourism in recent years, creating a promising destination and offering good tourist infrastructure, while maintaining air connections with various European locations throughout the year by several airlines. According to data presented last April by the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, speaking at a conference in Tirana:

• In 2023, Albania ranked 4th globally in terms of the highest percentage increase in international tourist arrivals, with an increase of 56% compared to 2019.
• Albania welcomed 7.5 million international arrivals in 2022 and 10.1 million in 2023.
• The strong recovery in tourism boosted the country's GDP by 5% compared to 2022.
• International tourism in Albania accounts for 46% of total exports and 65% of service sector exports.
• Over the past five years, Albania has consistently attracted direct foreign investments at levels exceeding the average of the previous decade of €1.004 billion. In 2022, the country attracted €1.372 billion in investment capital, and between January and September 2023, it received €1.089 billion.
• In Albania, 154 startups have been developed in various sectors, including financial services, tourism, technology, and innovation, in 2023 and so far in 2024.

Increasing Incoming Traffic Due to Day Visits

At the same time, traffic from Albania to Corfu is also increasing. According to data from Corfu Port Authority, from January to May, 37,580 passengers disembarked at the port of Corfu compared to 24,246 in the same period last year, an increase of 13,334 passengers. According to maritime agents, these are mainly tourists based in the neighbouring country for their holidays who come to Corfu for organised day trips. The majority are Balkan tourists who vacation in Saranda and come for day visits through travel agencies.

For example, in January, 1,336 passengers disembarked at the port of Corfu compared to 1,120 in the same month last year; in February, 1,324 compared to 879; in March, 2,518 passengers compared to 1,350; in April, 8,418 compared to 6,452; and in May, 23,984 compared to 14,445.

Arrivals at Corfu Airport

The data clarifies the situation regarding the concerns of the island's tourism professionals about the movement towards Albania, taking into account the numbers of international arrivals at the airport, which, they say, do not reflect the actual stays. They point out that the figures announced by Fraport pertain to entries to the island and not to accommodation, as these include those heading for cruises (due to the home port at the port of Corfu), neighbouring Albania, and other competitive destinations such as Parga, Syvota, and Preveza. In March, 7,903 international passengers arrived at Corfu airport, 75,881 in April, and 207,903 in May.

Cruises

According to Corfu Port Authority, the total number of cruise passengers, including those from the home port, amounted to 149,972 passengers from February to May 2024 (compared to 106,661 in the same period last year). This number is distributed across the months as follows: 194 in February, 9,879 in March, 39,212 in April, and 100,687 in May.

MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI

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