Albania, the new Croatia?…..maybe

The summer provides glorious sunshine and weather to Albania, and in return Albania has plenty to offer in the summer and there is good potential for the winter as well. I was pleased to come across a review on Albania the other day, and after I finished reading it I began thinking about the direction which Albania will take with regards to tourism and the impression it will leave on those visiting it. 

I began by asking myself what Albania has to offer in terms of tourism, and after giving it some thought I realised that this small country is indeed full of things to see and do.

The coast stretches from north to south and the majority of it is untouched by developers and concrete. Then you have small lakes which are dotted around everywhere, and three huge lakes one of which, Ohrid, is the oldest in Europe. Rivers are also plentiful, and if you know where to go they can be mesmerising. I mentioned these first because I love swimming in the summer, and so far with the exception of Durres I have been very impressed. 

Then there is the cultural, historical, and ancient side of Albania that I believe is not very well advertised. You find countries that have one or two Roman columns still standing and they go on and on about it in their tourist brochures. Well Albania is dotted with ancient sites, and historical castles and forts from north to south, so much so that you can produce a whole brochure just about them. 

The other thing which you can never get away from in Albania is the mountains. These can be small-medium sized mountains to proper year round snow capped alps. Some of the mountains that I have driven past are absolutely majestic, and if you ever see them at their harshest during winter you will be at awe. For climbers and winter sports enthusiasts its a paradise. 

What I have mentioned above are the areas which I believe a tourism industry can be built on. Looking at the official Albanian tourism website it is evident that they ministry sees it that way too. However, I am very worried for the future of tourism in Albania especially if things continue the way they are. For what ever reasons it seems developments get the go ahead no matter what the cost is to the surrounding scenery and environment, Durres is a prime example of this. A major problem is that these developments are taking place without the local infrastructure being present.

Tourism can boost the Albanian economy, but for it to be sustained and long term, it must be done according to a well thought plan. Currently it seems everything is done for the here and now, make a quick buck and you’re sorted. If this attitude continues for the next 5 years, tourism in Albania will be dead before it has started. This cannot be put solely in the hands of the money men and developers, the ministers in charge of these matters need to pull their fingers out and do something about it now. 

Although deep inside I sadly believe that not much will change, and some of the natural beauty will be ruined. But there is so much here that most of it will remain untouched, and if (this is a very very BIG IF) a we get a government that chooses to protect Albania-rather than exploit it-then there is nothing to stop Albania becoming the tourist hot-spot that Montenegro and Croatia have become.

So there you have it, its funny how reading something makes you want to write.