Tourism proves excellent revenue source

TIRANA, Aug 18 – Albania and tourism, tourism and the government, Albania and the government – these could be the key factors to promoting development in the tiny western Balkan country at this moment.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha has often said that tourism is a key component for the country and he repeated that earlier this month. Last year he said there were as many tourists as the country’s population, more than three million. This year he has said that figure will be higher.
Earlier this month he also said the country has witnessed a tourist boom, making tourism one of the most important sectors in the economy. Berisha said that as of August 8th, Albanian had been visited by 2.15 million tourists, which is over 400,000 more than last year. Albania has proved more attractive for tourists in 2011 with 411,927 more tourists visiting the country in the January-August period than in the same period last year.
The number of Albanians travelling abroad also increased this year. About 347,000 more citizens have travelled abroad in the first half of this year compared to last year as a direct result of the visa liberalization.
Yet a huge inflow of tourists is not enough to signify victory for Albania’s tourism yet. The key question is whether or not enough has been done to ensure the visitors don’t go home disappointed.
Construction work in many roads continues, and roads leading to the southwestern Riviera are not ideal.
Moreover tourism also needs a good supply of electricity and water. There is a much better energy supply but still there are areas, or communes or villages along the shore that have a weak power line, or low water pressure. In other areas there is no water supply and people rely on water reservoirs (one should not forget our country boasts of having so many water resources).
And last, but not least, service and prices leave much to be desired in these areas.
International property professionals believe that overseas buyers will be attracted to this emerging market.
There are vast financial opportunities in Albania and investors want to take advantage of the growing tourist market, competitive business environment and of course the property development opportunities.
This week there was also the launch of Argophilia Travel Albania– a new Albanian travel site.
That is a good PR for this country, one which should normally be done by its Tourism Ministry and agencies. It depicts not only the Albanian shore but also 19 attractions in Tirana, listed on the world’s most visited travel portal.
Considering that Albania has been in the dark even during the last years, despite trying to throw away the communist regime, all PR seems welcome. After all, who would have thought of holidaying in Albania? Very few people in this world of almost seven billion people could have told you where Albania and its 3.2 million Albanians live, let alone anything about it.
Very few know it is sandwiched between Montenegro and Greece.
Albanians should change their behavior and services. It would be in their interest to respect driving rules more, try to put rubbish in the bin rather than just dump it on the side of the road and set it on fire.
The government should also do much more– starting from applying laws; or do more to rehabilitate or build new roads in autumn, winter and spring rather than last minute in the middle of summer’s tourist rush.
Albania has a small but stunning coastline with some picturesque scenes that are usually spoiled by decrepit buildings and piles of rubbish that still seem to riddle it.
One of the foreign tourists describing the situation said that “It’s not a deal-breaker by any means – if you stick to the sunny, blue seas and the cheap, cheap eats, the Albanian coastline could be a real gem.”