Drop in restaurant consumption reaches up to 35%, “the boys” avoid spending due to SPAK fears

In addition to the effect on the decline in demand for real estate transactions, the continuation of operations by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) targeting criminal groups for money laundering is also being felt in bar and restaurant consumption.

The Bar and Restaurant Association states that for the month of June, consumption in bars and restaurants has dropped by 30 to 35% compared to last year.

In overall consumption, according to the Bar and Restaurant Association, the decline has been particularly influenced by coastal areas.

Enri Jahja, chairman of the association, told Monitor that besides the SPAK investigations, other factors have also contributed to the contraction in consumption, including the increase of coastal hotels offering “all inclusive” service and the low-cost tourists who continue to dominate the country this season as well.

In bars and restaurants, consumption for this tourist season continues to show a decline of up to 35%. Excluding May, when the consumption trend showed an increase compared to May 2025, June saw a significant drop. Expectations for improvement remain weak for July.

There are several main reasons for the decline in consumption.

First, the investigations being carried out by SPAK against criminal groups for money laundering have deterred many individuals from exposing themselves in bars and restaurants, i.e., individuals who generate money of suspicious origin. This is particularly felt in the southern coastal area. Some of them, in order to be seen in bars and restaurants, seek “private” spaces that established restaurants or bars do not offer. This has affected consumption. This group is known for high per capita consumption 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). Consequently, this has led to a decline in lunch or dinner consumption in restaurants. The effect is especially being felt in the Ksamil area.

Third, low-cost tourists continue to dominate in Albania, who are careful with restaurant spending and consume more within the apartment where they are accommodated.”

Regarding prices, Jahja states that this tourist season has seen no increase. According to him, average spending per person in a restaurant ranges from 20 to 40 euros.

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

According to the chairman of the Bar and Restaurant Association, Enri Jahja, the decline was influenced by economic and demographic factors.

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

A continued problem for the sector remains the difficulty in finding employees, as well as the informality of their wages. Despite hiring foreign workers, the Bar and Restaurant Association estimates a vacancy of 10,000 to 20,000 positions. /Monitor.al