Skopje, 27 June 2025 (MIA) - The number of foreign visitors to the country has increased at double-digit rates. Latest figures show a 21.6 percent increase in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year. If this trend continues, the number is expected to reach about 1.5 million foreign tourists by the end of the year, according to local tourism workers, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a press release on Friday. 

According to the Ministry, this could bring in revenues of up to EUR 500 million, and it is important that the state and businesses invest in infrastructure, strengthen tourism capacities, develop sustainable tourism and balanced regional development in order to sustain the trend and get utmost benefit.

"Amid an increased tourism development, an increased number of institutions and organizations working in the tourism sector, as well as increased tourist turnover, and especially given international trends for the development of sustainable tourism as well as the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for the development of tourism, there is a need for reform measures aimed at building an effective tourism system and creating a connected functional unit that has the task of responding to the needs of the tourism industry and tourism. To this end, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is undertaking a series of reform and organizational measures, regarding which a process is currently underway of taking over the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism and staffing the sector within the Ministry," reads the press release.  

There are several factors that set the direction of tourism development, it adds. 

"The main thing that this Government is trying to achieve is for Macedonia to become a real tourist country, which the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Minister Ljutkov strongly support. This is achieved by creating conditions that will enable visitors to connect with our culture, tradition and natural beauty. The first four months of 2025 confirm the positive direction of Macedonian tourism. The dynamics for 2025 are promising, Macedonia is positioning itself as an attractive, accessible and hospitable destination in the Balkans," said the Culture Ministry. 

The Ministry adds that the latest official tourism data shows a substantial rise in foreign tourist arrivals, even in months that are not traditionally seen as peak tourist months. This trend reaffirms Macedonia's position as a destination that offers a unique tourist experience throughout the year.

Visitors from Turkey are among the top tourists to the country, with a share of up to 42 percent among foreign tourists and a steady growth. Serbia also shows a notable rise, i.e. growth of 20–30 percent, especially in Skopje and Ohrid. Germany, Greece, Croatia and Romania also recorded growth, remaining among the top ten markets. Markets such as Bulgaria, Albania and Slovenia are stable, while no significant changes are seen in terms of visitors from countries such as Kosovo, the United States, Italy and the Netherlands.  

Photo: MIA archive