Albania offers growing tourist market

TIRANA, Sep 8 – Albania is continuing to experience growth in its holiday sector, according to industry analysts.
The Eastern Europe country is developing its tourist trade and has become a popular destination for people on a budget.
The fact that it is a relatively untapped market was highlighted as another factor that could make it an increasingly enticing place to visit, as its beaches will not be overrun by tourists.
A trip to Albania can be easily combined with travel in Italy, Greece, Croatia and other countries. Also, Albania offers attractions that are comparable to many Mediterranean hotspots.
This comes after the Global Property Guide revealed that the country is becoming increasingly popular with second-home buyers from overseas.
The publication said a period of “catch-up” has begun to take place now that Albania is enjoying greater political stability.
The number of tourists to Albania has increased by 400,000 people this year, according to government sources.
Official data, presented to the media by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Ylli Pango, showed that 2,089,538 foreign tourists entered Albania during the first six months of 2008, which is a 23 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Out of the total number of tourists, 984,038 of them were foreigners and 1,105,500 were residents of other countries of Albanian descent. The latter, according to the World Tourism Organization, are also considered tourists.
The reason for the growth in tourism is attributed to the country’s intensified advertising campaigns, which included the publication of a guide to Albania and video spots on CNN and local television stations in Macedonia and Kosova.
Many holidaymakers from Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia opted to spend their summer vacation in Albania, lured by the country’s prices, beautiful coast and favorable conditions.