The welcome influx of Italians shows that the growth of tourism in Albania presents a challenge for other popular Mediterranean holiday destinations, writes Selene Brophy in an article published in the American daily "Skift".

A waiter at a restaurant in the seaside resort town of Saranda apologized to new customers as the menu choices were still limited.

"The Italians have eaten everything because Italy is conquering us again, this time for good," said the waiter.

The waiter was echoing the sentiments of some Albanians about the tens of thousands of Italian tourists who have visited Saranda in the south near the Greek border.

Some remember the occupation of Albania by Italy's fascist regime under Mussolini for several years during World War II.

However, eight decades later, Italians account for a large part of the growing and increasingly lucrative tourism revenue that accounted for 20% of GDP last year.

"This figure is likely to increase in 2023", said the Minister of Tourism, Mirela Kumbaro.

Italians arrive by drop-in flight or ferry, from 80 km (50 miles) away across the Adriatic Sea.

Italians and other Europeans have been lured to Albania by its pristine sandy beaches, picturesque scenery and much cheaper prices than in other destinations, and long and far more luxurious holidays than Italy and France.

"For years we have heard a lot about Albania, good beaches and also without a doubt cheap prices, and this year with other friends we decided to organize a trip here", said the Italian tourist, Daniela Cudini.

"At the moment here we can say that 80 percent may be foreigners and the rest are Albanians," said Aurora Marku, manager of a small white sand beach near Saranda, while arranging beach chairs for two groups. Italian tourists.

The data shows that the number of tourists increased by 25% this July compared to the same month of 2022.

In the first seven months of 2023, more than 5,1 million foreigners, including over 430 Italians, 000 percent more than last year, visited Albania compared to 50 million throughout last year.

"Albania is working to have quality tourists", said Kumbaro to "Reuters".

"We don't need millions and millions of tourists who don't spend, who stay for a short period of time and just come in and out," she said.

Quentin Billon, CEO of the French tourist operator "Breathe in Travel", said that foreign tourists were attracted not only by the coast, but also by the desire to discover a new frontier.

"For them it's like discovering a new land that's really unknown, that was blocked and closed for many, many years, and now it's quite open for tourism, it's thriving," he said.

For almost 50 years, Albania was in almost total isolation under the regime of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, during which no one could leave the country and foreign tourists were banned from visiting the country.

Among the tens of thousands of Italians who rested in Albania in July was the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

She even paid the bill of a group of her compatriots who left a restaurant without paying.