Will Albania upgrade draw the tourists?
Government launches drive to improve facilities on neglected beaches
Next year’s hottest destination could be Albania, if tourist authorities in the country have their way.
According to a report in Saturday’s Guardian newspaper, the Albanian government has embarked on a “radical drive” to attract tourists, and is currently bulldozing run-down facilities along the country’s best beaches.
In their place will sprout five-star holiday developments, which the Albanian government hopes will attract visitors from around the world. The newspaper reports that the capital Tirana has a “vibrant nightlife” and that there are big hopes for the country as an ecotourism destination due to the presence of bears, wolves, linx and golden eagles.
At present, the country’s tourism minister Artan Lamaj admits, the vast majority of visitors come from Kosovo; 230,000 last year compared to just 2,000 from the rest of Europe. He said: “Kosovans are prepared to put up with our bad roads and all the other inconveniences of Albania to enjoy our seaside. To attract others, updating our coastline is an absolute priority.”
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