Tourism in Albania
Encyclopedia
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
is characterized by the archaeological heritage inherited from Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
, Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
times, unspoiled beaches
Albanian Riviera
Albanian Riviera is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian Coastline as a whole which incorporates both the Riviera and the mostly flat coastline of the north...
, challenging mountain ranges, Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
artifacts, unique traditions
Culture of Albania
-Education:The education system in Albania is secular. The literacy rate for the total population, age 9 or older, is about 94%. Elementary education is compulsory , but most students continue at least until a secondary education...
, unequivocal hospitality, delicious traditional cuisine, and the wild and peculiar atmosphere of the countryside. Although still underdeveloped, tourism has seen an impressive increase in recent years. Lonely Planet recently ranked Albania as the no. 1 destination to be visited in 2011. The majority of tourists is made up of Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
coming from Albania itself, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, and Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, and expats from Greece, and Italy. These prefer mostly beach tourism, while rural tourism is slowly gaining popularity. Foreign tourists mostly come from Eastern Europe, particularly from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. These tend to visit alpine settings. On the other side, Western tourists come mainly from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Scandinavian countries. Backpackers are common and prefer resting at the many hostels in Tirana, or camping in the countryside and along the coast. Organized groups mainly visit the numerous archaeological sites and historic towns. Some middle-aged couples prefer touring with campervans the unspoiled beaches. A growing trend has become rafting in the many canions, hiking, or cross-country off-road touring in the rough roads of the countryside. The latter can be explored through the adventurous Albanian railway system
Rail transport in Albania
The railways in Albania are administered by the national railway company Hekurudha Shqiptare . It operates a gauge rail system in Albania. All trains are hauled by Czech-built ČKD diesel-electric locomotives...
. Car rental agencies and information centers have opened branches in Tirana International Airport, sea ports, and other towns. Dental tourism has become popular as local dentists offer Western standards with much lower prices. However, tourism is hampered by local management issues such as poor road and public utilities infrastructure, unregulated waste disposal, illegal construction, uncertain land ownership, unreliable public transport, and an unqualified hospitality sector. Recently, coastal and some major roads have been reconstructed, while the local private sector and foreign donors are heavily investing in accommodation and in renovations at historical sites. Albania has been dubbed the "New Mediterranean Love".
Entry requirements
Citizens of the following countries do not require visas to enter:All 27 EU members, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chili, Croatia, Vatican, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United States of America, and Ukraine.
History
Albania has been visited by a number of important chroniclers, including Evliya ÇelebiEvliya Çelebi
Evliya Çelebi was an Ottoman traveler who journeyed through the territory of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring lands over a period of forty years.- Life :...
, Lord Byron, and Edith Durham
Edith Durham
Mary Edith Durham was a British traveller, artist and writer who became famous for her anthropological accounts of life in Albania in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
. Besides the publication of promotional pamphlets, and the construction of some beach cabins by Italian engineers in Durres
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
, no major developments took place between the two World Wars. In the first years of Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, foreign tourists came only from Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
and were accommodated at the foreigners only Adriatik Hotel of Durres
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
. Later, other hotels were constructed nearby by Soviet engineers to accommodate the working masses and the influential. The latter rested at some heavily guarded secluded areas mainly in Golem (south of Durres), Drilon Swans Park east of Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
, alpine village areas, and in the Albanian Riviera
Albanian Riviera
Albanian Riviera is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian Coastline as a whole which incorporates both the Riviera and the mostly flat coastline of the north...
. Many youth camps were established and a tourist boat constructed and named Punetori (the Worker). Rail transport was used heavily by the masses as a means of transportation as private ownership was banned. After the Sino-Soviet Split
Sino-Soviet split
In political science, the term Sino–Soviet split denotes the worsening of political and ideologic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War...
, Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
tourists were encouraged to visit Albania. Western tourists were first permitted to visit in the 1980s. They mainly visited historic sites and came mostly as part of Marxist-Leninist organizations. Once arrived, some were shaven by authorities as beards and long hair in men were banned in Albania as signs of degenerated bourgeoisie manners, while recording equipment of some was temporarily confiscated. Since the fall of communism, visiting restrictions greatly eased, while the tourism sector experienced spontaneous construction developments. The 1997 unrest in Albania was a major blow for tourism and contributed to the negative image of Albania as being a lawless and unsafe country. The period that follows is characterized by the continuation of illegal construction in some popular areas, and the rediscovery of many parts of Albania after decades of neglect. A significant watershed moment was the publication of several promotional videos on several global news channels and the writing of promotional articles on important global newspapers. In 2010, tourism in Albania had the greatest increase in the world with a 42% growth.
Towns and archaeological sites
The most visited towns are:- A thousand and one window town of BeratBeratBerat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
- Old port city of DurrësDurrësDurrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
(Dyrrhachium) - Stone city of GjirokastërGjirokastërGjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
- KrujëKrujëKrujë is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the Krujë District. It has a population of about 15,900. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana....
, the balcony over the Adriatic sea - ShkodërShkodërShkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
, the city that is home, among others to the Rozafa Castle - TiranaTiranaTirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, the capital with a vibrant nightlife - Beach city of VlorëVlorëVlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
(the city of olives and grapes) - Lezha, the historic diplomatic capital of Albania
- Poet's city of PogradecPogradecPogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
- Honeymooners' city of SarandëSarandëSarandë or Saranda is the capital of the District of Sarandë, Albania, and is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. It is situated on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea in the Mediterranean 2 nautical miles from the Greek island of Corfu. The city of Saranda has a...
- Year round festive city of KorcëKorçëKorçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
- Archaeological sites of ApolloniaApollonia (Illyria)Apollonia was an ancient Greek city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Aous river . Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani, in modern-day Albania...
, AntigoneaAntigonia (Chaonia)Antigonea , also transliterated as Antigonia and Antigoneia, was an ancient Greek city in Epirus and the chief inland city of the ancient Chaonians...
, and ByllisByllisByllis was an ancient city located in the region of Illyria. The remains of Byllis are situated north-east of Vlorë, 25 kilometers from the sea in Hekal, Mallakastër District, Albania....
Natural attractions
Some increasingly popular natural features include:- Albanian RivieraAlbanian RivieraAlbanian Riviera is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian Coastline as a whole which incorporates both the Riviera and the mostly flat coastline of the north...
, the coastal area stretching from VloreVlorëVlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
to Saranda along the Ionian SeaIonian SeaThe Ionian Sea , is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and a large number of Greek islands, including Corfu, Zante, Kephalonia, Ithaka, and...
. The whole coastline of Albania stretches over 450 km. - Albanian Alps, part of the Prokletije or Accursed Mountains range of extreme Northern Albania where the highest mountain peak is located. Seventy percent of the country's terrain is mountainous.
- Naturally occurring phenomenon of the Blue Eye SpringBlue Eye, AlbaniaThe Blue Eye is a water spring, natural phenomenon occurring in Saranda, Albania. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than fifty-metre-deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of...
near Sarande in extreme Southern Albania - Lake Komani FerryKoman and Fierza Reservoirs FerryKoman-Fierzë or Fierzë-Koman Ferry, also known as Lake Komani Ferry is a passenger ferry service operated by Sahhilba and others along the Koman Reservoir and Fierza Reservoir in Northern Albania. The line operates between Koman near the Koman Hydroelectric Power Station and Fierzë near the Fierza...
, a unique journey amidst spectacular mountain views in Northern Albania - The 20 km long Osum Canyon, the largest in Albania located near CorovodeÇorovodëÇorovodë, also written as Çorovoda is the main city of Skrapar District, Albania with a population of around 7,000. The Çorovoda River passes through the city and it is also home to a canyon, known as "Pirogosh". Allegedly, two kings, Piro and Goshi, named the cavern...
in Skrapar DistrictSkrapar DistrictThe District of Skrapar is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Berat County. It has a population of 10,200 , and an area of 775 km²... - Coastal areas of Lalzit Bay north of DurrësDurrësDurrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
near Rodon CapeCape of RodonThe Cape of Rodon or Cape of Skanderbeg is a rocky cape on the Adriatic Sea north of Durrës. On the Cape is the Rodoni Castle, built by Skanderbeg in 1463. and a Saint Anthony Church.-References:...
, and General's Beach near KavajeKavajëKavajë or Kavaja, capital of Kavajë District, Tirana County is a city situated on the western inlands, just a few kilometers off the Adriatic Sea, in Central Albania.The District of Kavajë has a population of 82,921 inhabitants as of January 1, 2010.... - Curative beach sands of coastal Velipoja in Ada BojanaAda BojanaAda Bojana is an island in the Ulcinj Municipality in Montenegro.The name Ada means island in Turkish language.The island is created by river delta of Bojana River. The legend says it was formed by gathering river sand around a ship sunk at the mouth of Bojana river, but it is more likely to be a...
near the Montenegrin border, and ShengjinShëngjinShëngjin is a coastal town in the Lezha District, northwestern Albania. The town is home to one of Albania's entry ports, Port of Shëngjin....
near Lezhe.
Village areas
Some emerging agritourismAgritourism
Agritourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy...
destinations are:
- Historic MoscopoleMoscopoleMoscopole was a cultural and commercial center of the Aromanians, and now a small municipality in Korçë District, modern southeastern Albania. At its peak, in the mid 18th century, it hosted the first printing press in the Balkans outside Istanbul, educational institutions and numerous churches...
, and alpine DardhëDardhëDardhë is a community in the municipality of Drenovë in the Korçë District, Korçë County, Albania.A Greek school was operating in the village from 1810.-Notable people:*Sotir Peçi, mathematician, former Minister of Education and publisher....
, VithkuqVithkuqVithkuq is a municipality in the Korçë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Vithkuq, Leshnje, Gjanc, Lubonjë, Rehovë, Roshanj, Trebickë, Grabockë, Treskë, Stratobërdh, Panarit, Shtyllë and Cemericë....
, and Boboshticë villages near KorcëKorçëKorçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania... - Albanian stretch of Ohrid Lake in HudenishtHudenishtUdënisht is a municipality in the Pogradec District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Udënisht, Memlisht, Çervenakë, Piskupat, Lin and Buqez....
stretching from Qafë Thanë/Kjafasan to PogradecPogradecPogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about... - Area of Përmet DistrictPërmet DistrictThe District of Përmet is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Gjirokastër County. Its population of 22,029 includes Aromanian minorities. The district has an area of 930 km². It is in the south-east of the country, and its capital is Përmet...
in southeastern Albania - Fishing village of ShirokaShiroka-External links:*...
along Shkodër Lake - Drilon Swans Park east of Pogradec
- Emerging agritourism villages of Gjinar near ElbasanElbasanElbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
, and RovjeKukurKukur is a municipality in the Gramsh District, Elbasan County, central Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Snosem, Sojnik, Mukaj, Irmath, Kalaj, Gribe, Vreshtas, Kukur, Rashtan and Grazhdan....
in Gramsh DistrictGramsh DistrictThe District of Gramsh is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Elbasan County. It has a population of 24,230 , and an area of 695 km². It is in the centre of the country, and its capital is Gramsh. The district consists of the following... - Libohovë village near Gjirokastër
- Rural area along Rruga e Elbasanit, and panoramic region of Mount DajtMount DajtMount Dajti National Park is situated 26 km east of the capital and 50 km east of Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa...
both in the outskirts of Tirana
Panoramic routes
Due to the varying geographic elevation, Albania features endless panoramic routes with the main being:- Vlora-Saranda route in Southwestern Albania along the Albanian Riviera starting from coastal Vlore into Llogara Pass and along the Ceraunian MountainsCeraunian MountainsThe Ceraunian Mountains is a coastal mountain range in southwestern Albania. The name is derived from Ancient Greek Κεραύνια ὄρη, meaning "thunder-split peaks"....
Rreshen-KalimashA1 motorway (Albania)The A1 motorway refers to the segment between the towns of Rrëshen and Kalimash in Northern Albania. It is part of the greater Albania-Kosovo Highway stretching in Albania, from the Adriatic port city of Durrës to the border town of Kukës with Kosovo. The preceding and following segments are...
motorway along the Fan River Valley in Northern Albania- SH83 Jergucat-Delvine route overlooking the Dropulli Plain in Southern Albania
- Elbasan-Pogradec route along the Shkumbin River valley and Ohrid Lake
- Koplik-ThethThethTheth is a community in the Shalë municipality, Shkodër District, Shkodër County, northern Albania.The community is at the centre of the Theth National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.-History:...
and Koplik-VermoshVermoshVërmosh is the northernmost village of Albania, a rural part of the Kelmend municipality, District of Malësi e Madhe.-Geography:...
in the Albanian Alps overlooking steep cliffs, challenging mountain peaks, and crystal clear rivers and waterfalls
Festivals and national heritage
As elsewhere in the world, the Albanian culture holds some unique traditions showcased in various forms:- Gjirokaster National Folklore FestivalGjirokastër National Folklore FestivalGjirokastër National Folklore Festival is an artistic festival taking place every five years in Gjirokastër Castle in Gjirokastër, southern Albania. The festival showcases Albanian traditional music, dress, and dance from Albanian inhabited lands throughout the Balkans and Southern Italy...
is held every 5 years in GjirokasterGjirokastërGjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
(last held in September 2009) - Lock-in Tower of ThethThethTheth is a community in the Shalë municipality, Shkodër District, Shkodër County, northern Albania.The community is at the centre of the Theth National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.-History:...
as an artifact of the bloodfeud tradition - National Historic MuseumNational Historical Museum (Albania)The National Historical Museum in Tirana, Albania, is the country's largest museum. It was opened on 28 October 1981 and is 27,000 square metres in size, while 18,000 square metres are available for expositions. The museum was designed by Albanian architect, Enver Faja.The construction of the...
in Tirana, Skanderbeg MuseumSkanderbeg MuseumThe Skanderbeg Museum is in Krujë, Albania. It honors George Kastrioti Skanderbeg , a national hero of Albania. The museum is located inside Krujë Castle and the restored bazaar. The citadel includes a restored house from the Ottoman era that is now the Ethnographic Museum.- External links :* * ,...
in Kruja, Skanderbeg's Tomb in Lezha, and the many Ethnographic Museums scattered in various cities - Albanian traditional wedding celebrations mostly take place in the summer time and can be observed at historic sites as well. Moreover, some conservative older men and women mainly from the North still wear traditional clothingAlbanian Traditional ClothingTraditional Albanian clothing includes more than 200 different kind of clothings in all Albania. This is due to the division the Albanian principates in the Middle Ages. Almost every region in Albania has its traditional dress.-Men:...
in their daily lives. Instead, older women from the South usually wear all black outfits. - Evening walkabouts are a traditional ritual usually in the summer months as locals promenade along the town squares or seaside promenades to relax after tiring hot summer days. Cafes are usually full mainly with retirees and students, while local parks with families. In addition, TiranaTiranaTirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
enjoys a very active nightlife where luxury cars and charming women invade the streets and bars of the former politburoPolitburo of the Party of Labour of AlbaniaThe Politburo was the leading organ of the Party of Labour of Albania. The following is the composition of the Politburo that would be formed after every Congress of the Party. The politburo for the 1941-1948 period is not included....
residence area known as Blloku. The afternoon SiestaSiestaA siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm....
is observed as some shops close down for a few hours after midday. - There is a strict code of conduct when meeting with Albanians.
- Many areas organize local exhibitions and festivals showcasing regional crafts and delicacies.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Albania is home to three World Heritage Sites:- ButrintButrintButrint was an ancient Greek and later Roman city in Epirus. In modern times it is an archeological site in Sarandë District, Albania, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë and close to the Greek border. It was known in antiquity as Βουθρωτόν Bouthroton or Βουθρώτιος Bouthrotios in Ancient Greek...
, an ancient GreekAncient GreekAncient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
and RomanAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
city - GjirokastërGjirokastërGjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
, a well-preserved OttomanOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
medieval town - BeratBeratBerat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
, the 'town of a thousand and one windows'
Issues affecting tourism
The main problem holding back the establishment of a viable tourism industry is the lack of a clear strategy. Some problems include spatial planning issues such as illegal construction, unregulated waste disposal, poor infrastructure, lack or the unimplementation of urban regulatory plans, and unclear land ownership. On the instruction aspect there lacks a clear accommodation classification system and qualified hospitality personnel. The private sector has taken some tasks from the local government as the latter has proven ineffective in tackling most of the above problems, while foreign institutions are financing public infrastructure and town planning projects.Construction, infrastructure, and waste management
Illegal construction is ruining some popular areas while poor road and public utilities' infrastructureInfrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
greatly hamper tourism. Electrical power outage
Power outage
A power outage is a short- or long-term loss of the electric power to an area.There are many causes of power failures in an electricity network...
s are still common, while water supply in some areas is intermittent. New water supply systems are being constructed at tourist areas through money financed by foreign banks. The consumption of bottled water instead of tap water is recommended. In recent years, most main roads have been undergoing reconstruction thus further adding to delays. Independent bus and minibus (furgon) operators provide inexpensive transport between most large communities, but schedules and prices are not fixed. Train service is also limited and sporadic.
Uncontrolled waste disposal is a problem mostly visible along major roadways and some coastal stretches in the countryside, as waste is dumped along major rivers or burned into the atmosphere. Volunteers' groups have taken the initiative to clean the affected areas as local authorities are ineffective and powerless. A number of landfills have been constructed recently while some towns have started to implement recycling programs. Some towns lack city master plans while other do not implement them. Localized burning of tires for producing lime takes place near Kruja, while air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
from car exhaust mostly affects Tirana. The area near the Steelworks in Elbasan and the Lime Factory of Fushe-Kruje are affected by uncontrolled emissions.
In 2006, the Albanian government imposed a moratorium on all domestically owned, motor-powered boats on all Albanian lakes, rivers, and seas to curb organized crime. This has acted as a halting factor to the domestic sailing and tourism industry. However, foreign and government owned boats, fishing boats, and jet boats are exempted from the moratorium. For sailing information, visit.
Progress in ecotourismEcotourismEcotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
, urban planning, and hospitality sector
Significant progress is being made particularly in ecotourismEcotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
. Coastal-bound roads have been reconstructed, while private businesses have heavily invested in acceptable accommodation and in keeping clean the surrounding environment. A successful example of a private sector initiative is the 40 Guesthouses Initiative in the Albanian Alps. Locals with aid from foreign donors have organized in turning their inns into accommodation enmities for ecotourism. Once a deprived area, it became a leading part of a self sustainable project providing much needed income to locals. As part of UNESCO membership, Albanian sites are being awarded funds for the reconstruction of important landmarks. The World Bank and other donors finance regional master plans and public utilities infrastructure projects. In the professionalism aspect, the European University for Tourism (EUFT) opened in Tirana to better train hospitality sector personnel. International hotel chains are established in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, while trans-border travel agencies organize day trips from Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
to Sarandë
Sarandë
Sarandë or Saranda is the capital of the District of Sarandë, Albania, and is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. It is situated on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea in the Mediterranean 2 nautical miles from the Greek island of Corfu. The city of Saranda has a...
and nearby Butrint
Butrint
Butrint was an ancient Greek and later Roman city in Epirus. In modern times it is an archeological site in Sarandë District, Albania, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë and close to the Greek border. It was known in antiquity as Βουθρωτόν Bouthroton or Βουθρώτιος Bouthrotios in Ancient Greek...
. Other tour operators are including Albania as part of their Balkan region packages. Club Med
Club Med
Club Méditerranée , commonly known as Club Med, is a French corporation of vacation resorts found in many parts of the world, usually in exotic locations. It is considered the original all-inclusive resort.-Foundation:...
has proposed a development between Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
and Sarandë at Kakome Bay.
See also
- Geography of AlbaniaGeography of AlbaniaAlbania has a total area of . It shares a border with Montenegro to the northwest, a border with Kosovo to the northeast, a border with Macedonia to the north and east, and a border with Greece to the south and southeast. Its coastline is long...
- Transport in AlbaniaTransport in AlbaniaTransport in Albania has been rather undeveloped during the Communist period , after which the country has had to make significant investment into transport infrastructure.-History:...
- List of castles in Albania
- List of national parks of Albania, including archaeological and marine ones
Further reading
- Inter Press Service. Unknown Albania - A Case Study. UNDP Albania: Tirana, 2007
- Gorica, Klodiana. Issues of European Integration for Tourism: Challenges of Albania as an Emerge Destination. University of Tirana
- Gorica, Klodiana. Albanian Tourism Management: The Future Path To Sustainable Development. Amfiteatru Economic 7, no. 18, 2005
- Kruja, Drita and Albana Gjyrezi. The Special Interest Tourism: Development and the Small Regions. Turizam 15, no. 2, pp.77-89 (2011)
- Kushi, Evis and Enkela Caca. Some Problems of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Albanian Holiday Hotels. Regional Science Inquiry Journal, Issue II, 1 (2010), pp 63-70
External links
- Albania Tourism Official Portal
- Albania at In Your Pocket City Guide
- Blue-Albania.com (regional cultural heritage)
- Albanian Tourism Portal
- National Agency of Tourism Portal
- Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports of Albania
- Albania From the Air Photo Album by sky diver Alket Islami
- Albania Interactive Tourist Map
- Radio Travel Albania, 104.6 FM Tirana