As statistics concerning the frequenting of Albanian beaches and tourist resorts are expected to appear in the upcoming months, recent meteorological reports suggest that in 2009 the country might benefit of a longer tourist season. High temperatures will prevail till November 2009 and may extend the tourist season for those willing to linger longer on the Albanian coast or for those willing to discover them at a late and less crowded period, suggests Koha Jon련1.09.2009).
In the absence of available statistics some people expect the tourist season in Albania to have been exceptional, while others believe that the global economic crisis has been felt in the tourist centres of the country.
Albania and neighbour visitors
Though the parliamentary election held in Albania on the 28th of June 2009 is believed to have postponed the influx of Albanian migrants coming home for holidays, the numbers of home-comers during and after the elections is believed to be sustained and even continuously progressing.
Besides them, numbers of Albanians coming to spend their holidays on the Albanian beaches from neighbouring Kosovo and from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as other nationals from these countries, are believed to have frequented the Albanian coast in a sustained manner. Besides, the number of FYROM nationals is expected to have increased due to memory of street fights and the situation in neighbouring Greece over the past months. The dispute between Greece and FYROM over its name is also expected to be a factor that might have brought other than Albanian nationals from FYROM to Albania during the last year. This year, with a better infrastructure and price levels near to their own, they are expected to have rediscovered neighbouring Albania, though Bulgaria may also have had its share of FYROM holiday goers.
Albania, Bulgaria and FYROM are the cheapest countries in Europe according to late European statistics concerning 2008 (see former Tirana Times issues).
Improved infrastructure
Improved infrastructure and a better state of roads is one of the characteristics of this years’ tourist season. Press reports concerning border entries at the unique airport of Tirana, at numerous land border-crossing points and at some Albanian ports or bays have been emphasizing anecdotal evidence speaking of large numbers of entrants. The number of functional entry points seems to have increased. Besides the port of Durr쳬 the port of Sh쯧jin, on the north-west coast, has been instrumental in connecting Albania to Kosovo and bringing visitors to the northern coast which has not been largely frequented.
The highway connecting Albania to Kosovo has shortened travel time and brought more driving comfort in the road network. Other roads also have been improved or created and are in the process of construction or revamping. The highway which has become functional since the election period in June 2009, needs more work to be completed. But it is already expected to have brought and to still bring more visitors from Kosovo, especially if the tourist season is extended due to unseasonable weather. Week-ends at the Adriatic or Ionian coast are close at hand with the new highway.
Albania – a new hot-spot tourist destination
But what Albania claims most for the tourist season of 2009 is its attractiveness to foreign visitors. They are mainly visitors foot-stepping for the first time in Albania and coming from distant countries. Improving infrastructure, one of the three lowest-priced countries in Europe, attractive character of nature and people as well as novelty are making Albania a new hot spot tourist destination for 2009. The western press seemed delighted to have discovered Albanian natural beauties at affordable prices.
Entry into NATO gave Albania large publicity in the Western world. The foreign press has ever since been prolific with writings on Albania as a new hot-spot tourist destination, the must-be place for the summer of 2009. Meanwhile, local reports from the Albanian press have indicated that cruisers that run the Mediterranean are now making a halt at the sea-port of Durr쳬 a new destination that may have been added over the last years but which has experienced an increasing frequency and flux of visitors this year. Visitors of such cruises are reported to have a day off in Albania, stopping by the port in the morning, visiting mainly Durr쳠and Tirana and turning back to the cruiser in the evening. There is, however, no statistical data covering the period yet.
Prospects for late travel
Since the hot days are expected to last until November, the number of week-end holiday makers coming to Albanian ports and coasts over the coming weeks might still be considerable. Not only for this period, but throughout the year, Albania should develop week-end travelling packets for neighbouring or not too distant countries, like for example Italy and FYROM. Since the summer season is almost over, belated holyday opportunities could mostly be taken on week-ends. Albania has direct airport connections to many countries with which flights are usually less than one hour and a half away. And direct connections by route and ports to other neighbouring countries. Costs of travel and lack of preparation seem to be the major immediate hindrances in the way of developing short-stay affordable week-end vacancies. But with the increasing numbers of visitors the air carriers and the airport of Tirana might open new flights and reduce taxes and costs.
