The decline in consumption in restaurants reaches up to 35%, the "chunat" do not consume for fear of SPAK

In addition to the effect on the decline in demand for real estate sales, the ongoing actions of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) against criminal groups for money laundering are also being felt in the consumption of bars and restaurants.

The Bars and Restaurants Association claims that for the month of June, consumption in bars and restaurants has decreased by 30 to 35% compared to the previous year. According to the Bars and Restaurants Association, the decrease has affected overall consumption, especially in coastal areas.

Enri Jahja, president of the association, told Monitor that in addition to SPAK's investigations, other factors have also influenced the decline in consumption, including the increase in hotels with "all-inclusive" service on the coast or even low-cost tourists who continue to dominate the country this season.

In bars and restaurants, consumption for this tourist season continues to show a decline of up to 35%. With the exception of May, where the consumption trend showed an increase compared to May 2025, there was a significant decrease in June. Expectations for improvement remain lukewarm for July.

The main reasons for the decline in consumption are several. First, the investigations that SPAK is conducting against criminal groups for money laundering have led many individuals to be exposed in bars and restaurants, that is, individuals who launder money of dubious origin. This is being felt especially in the southern area, on the coast. Some of them, in order to be exposed in bars and restaurants, require "private" environments that consolidated restaurants or bars do not offer. This situation has had an effect on consumption. This group is known for its high consumption per capita and unlimited spending on expensive drinks.

Another factor is the increase in the supply of accommodation structures in the south of the country that offer "all inclusive" service, i.e. with 3 meals or 2 (breakfast and dinner). As a result, this has led to a decrease in the consumption of lunch or dinner in restaurants. The effect is particularly felt in the Ksamil area.

Thirdly, in Albania, the low-cost tourist continues to dominate, cautious in spending on restaurants and consuming more within the premises of the apartment where he is accommodated.

Regarding prices, Jahja claims that there has been no increase in them this tourist season. According to him, the average cost per individual in a restaurant ranges from 20 to 40 euros.

Consumption in bars and restaurants also declined during the period January-September 2025, decreasing by 10 to 15% compared to the same period last year.

According to the president of the Association of Bars and Restaurants, Enri Jahja, the decline was influenced by economic and demographic factors.

There are a total of 15.5 thousand bars in the country, up from 22 thousand in 2015, making it the second most popular activity in the country, after the retail business.

The sector continues to face problems with the difficulty of finding employees, as well as the informality of their salaries. Despite the hiring of foreign workers, the Association of Bars and Restaurants estimates that there are between 10,000 and 20,000 vacancies. Monitor