The ferry line will operate daily from June 15 to September 15 to ease transport of tourists in the two neighbouring towns divided by the Pogradec and Ohrid lakes in a trip which only takes 2 hours.
TIRANA, June 18 – Not operational since the outbreak of World War I, a ferry line has been re-established between the cross border lake town of Pogradec in southeastern Albania and Ohrid in Macedonia.
The ferry line will operate daily from June 15 to September 15 to ease transport of tourists in the two neighbouring towns divided by the Pogradec and Ohrid lakes in a trip which only takes 2 hours.
“This is a historic day because after 100 years, a ferry line is being reestablished between Pogradec and Ohrid. This opens a new chapter in cooperation between Albania and Macedonia and especially the tourism sector,” said Albania’s Transport Minister Edmond Haxhinasto at the launch ceremony this week, hopeful that a permanent ferry line will be established in the near future.
“I think the Pogradec lake and its surroundings should be a joint tourist area between the two countries. We should coordinate the infrastructure together because we are too small to run things separately,” added Haxhinasto.
Macedonian Transport Minister Mile Janakieski said the ferry line was an additional signal for the good neighbourly relations between Macedonia and Albania, promoting tourism in both towns.
“I call on travel agents in the two countries to use this ferry line as a way to attract and increase the number of tourists in the two towns,” he was quoted as saying by Macedonian media.
The southeastern town of Pogradec has opened its 2014 summer tourist season under the motto “This summer like never before.”
The town of Pogradec and its surroundings in southeastern Albania, as one of the Albanian pearls, provides much to discover for its visitors. The region dominated by the fantastic Ohrid Lake, shared by both Albania and Macedonia, surrounded by fields nestled before picturesque mountains, will be your panorama throughout your holidays in Pogradec. The harmony of nature, and the friendliness of the inhabitants are characteristic.
The sunny days at the beaches along the lake, the strolls along the promenade, as well as the various specialty dishes and local wine enjoyed in the restaurants provide unforgettable moments.
