New report sheds light on women’s contributions in Albania’s growing tourism sector

Tirana, 7 November 2025 – UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, has launched Albania’s first-ever “Assessment on women in the tourism sector”. The report offers new evidence and practical recommendations to support the sector’s inclusive and sustainable growth under the National Tourism Strategy 2030.

The assessment finds that women make up 62 per cent of employees in the hospitality sector but only 16 per cent of those who run or manage businesses. Only 11 per cent of women in Albania access formal loans, compared to 22 per cent of men. Women led businesses are smaller and less profitable than those run by men, due to limited access to credit and investment. While women dominate entry-level tourism training, only 14 per cent of female employee in tourism related business earn above €360 per month, compared to 81% of men.

The report also highlights that gender-based violence and harassment in tourism workplaces remain underreported, emphasizing the need two strengthen legal and policy commitments to ensure safe and inclusive working environments.

“By empowering women as creators, leaders, and travelers, Albania has the potential to champion a transformative approach to tourism, one that puts inclusion and sustainability at the centre’, said Michele Ribotta, UN Women Representative in Albania.

Beyond its economic significance, tourism holds transformative potential for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5). The sector not only generates decent work and income opportunities but also provides women with pathways to entrepreneurship, leadership, and community participation.

To accelerate progress, the assessment recommends ensuring that relevant policies and investments benefit women and men equally, creating safe workplaces in line with international conventions, and expanding financing opportunities for women-owned tourism businesses.

The findings will guide policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners in building a gender-responsive tourism sector that drives inclusive economic growth and empowers women across the country.

UN Women Albania has been working to ensure that women and marginalized groups are not only participants but key drivers of sustainable tourism development. In addition to generating research and evidence through this Country Assessment on Women in Tourism, UN Women is also promoting safety and inclusion through the development of the Safety Guidelines for Foreign Women Travellers, while strengthening skills and resilience of female employees in the hospitality industry through the Empowerment through Self-Defense programme. These efforts also include co-designing tourism experiences specifically for solo women travelers, in collaboration with women-led enterprises.

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