Exactly one week after dropping his reelection bid, Mayor Eric Adams boarded a flight to Albania.
City Hall says the purpose of the four-day trip, for which he left Sunday, is to foster business relationships for the city, not to explore any ambassadorships or future job opportunities.
“Over the next few days, Mayor Adams will travel to Albania, where he will meet with the prime minister, business and tech leaders, tour factories, and discuss new opportunities to boost economic activity and tourism to New York City,” the mayor’s spokeswoman, Kayla Mamelak said in a statement Sunday, adding that Adams was going at the prime minister’s invitation.
The airfare for Adams and one staffer will be paid by the city, and his lodging (roughly $200 per night) and ground transportation ($90/day) would be gifted by the Albanian government, according to the mayor’s office The office said it was following city conflicts of interest rules and that it was easier to provide appropriate security if lodging was provided by Albania.
The mayor’s security detail will also accompany him on the trip. In June 2025, Adams hosted an Albanian culture reception at Gracie Mansion and marched in the Albanian parade. That same month, the New York Post reported that the mayor’s 29-year-old son Jordan Coleman — an aspiring rapper — had competed in the Albanian equivalent of American Idol, releasing an EP of several songs inspired by his travel.
City Hall said the mayor’s son will not be traveling with him. NYC is home to the largest Albanian-American community in the US, with an estimated 60,000 living in neighborhoods, including. Belmont, Pelham Parkway, Astoria and Tompkinsville.
His public schedule for the trip has not yet been released but a spokeswoman said he would meet with members of the Albanian Parliament and Cabinet and with businesses about potential investments.
He is scheduled to return to the city on Thursday, according to City Hall.