North Macedonia: Travel Flow and Tourism Connectivity with Greece

The number of tourists in North Macedonia in April reached 96,943, of which 21.4% were domestic tourists and 78.6% were foreign tourists, according to data from the State Statistical Office of North Macedonia.

The number of overnight stays in April 2025 was 171,886, with 26.5% coming from domestic tourists and 73.5% from foreign tourists. During the January–April period, compared to the same period last year, the number of tourists increased by 13.4%. Specifically, domestic tourism declined by 4.2%, while international arrivals rose by 21.6%. Total overnight stays rose by 10.5%, with domestic overnights down 4.7%, and foreign overnights up 19.8%.

It is also noted that the average monthly net salary paid per employee in April was approximately €740, which is 10.6% higher than in April of the previous year. The gross average monthly salary was €1,112.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air plans to launch a new flight between Skopje and Larnaca starting October 31, marking the return of direct air service between the two cities after a four-year hiatus. The route previously existed but was suspended during the pandemic and has not resumed until now.

North Macedonia functions both as a transit tourism country and, to some extent, as a tourist destination. There is growing potential for religious, rural, and especially wine tourism, while its natural lakes—Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran—are among the country’s notable natural attractions. According to the State Statistical Office, the total number of tourists in 2024 was 1,260,425 (up from 1,168,730 in 2023), of which 34.1% were domestic and 65.9% foreign. Overnight stays in 2024 totaled 3,297,732 (up from 3,135,767 in 2023), with 53.5% from domestic and 46.5% from foreign tourists.

The main countries of origin for foreign tourists in 2024 were:

Turkey (up 45.5% from 2023)

Serbia (up 1.8%)

Greece (down 1.8%)

Germany (up 8.1%)

Bulgaria (up 30.7%)

According to available data from North Macedonia’s State Statistical Office, the number of Greek tourists in 2024 reached 39,240. Greek overnight stays in North Macedonia totaled 68,511 in 2024, up from 66,222 in 2023.

On the other hand, based on the latest data from the same office, passenger traffic at the main border crossings (from third-country nationals) is approximately 1.3 million annually.

At the same time, according to the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the number of visitors from North Macedonia to Greece in 2023 reached approximately 1.12 million, up from 770,000 in 2022, marking an increase of 45.4%. North Macedonia ranked 11th (retaining the same position as in 2022) among countries in terms of tourist arrivals to Greece in 2023.

In general, citizens of North Macedonia visit Greece both for weekend or holiday getaways, as well as for longer summer vacations. Their main destinations are the coastal areas of Northern Greece, particularly Halkidiki and Pieria. Notably, in 2023, around 1 million visitors from North Macedonia traveled to the Central Macedonia region. Also important, especially for Thessaloniki’s market, are day trips or short stays by North Macedonian residents for shopping. Furthermore, a growing number of entrepreneurs from North Macedonia are now investing in holiday homes, mainly in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.

(*) The information originates from the Economic and Commercial Affairs Office in Skopje.