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Tourism in Albania

Tourism in Albania

Tourism in Albania

Tourism is a key source of income for Albania. In 2014, it contributed 6% of GDP directly, but when indirect contributions are taken into account, the figure jumps to little over 20%. Albania welcomed over 4.2 million visitors in 2012, the bulk of whom came from neighboring countries and the European Union. Albania is the fourth greatest tourist destination in the world, according to the New York Times. In 2014, the number of visitors also increased by 20%.

The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated around the Adriatic and Ionian Sea beaches. The Albanian Riviera, as it is called, has the most beautiful and pristine beaches. The Albanian coastline, including the lagoon area, runs about 360 kilometers (220 miles). The profusion of sandy beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons, little gravel beaches, sea caves, and other features give the coast a unique identity. Some areas of this coastline are highly ecologically clean, indicating that they might be undiscovered locations, which are unusual in the Mediterranean.

The number of overseas visitors has risen considerably in recent years. Albania had just 500,000 visitors in 2005, but is expected to have 4.2 million by 2012, a 740 percent increase in only seven years.

Albania’s geography is hilly for 70% of the country, and valleys spread in a stunning mosaic of woodlands, meadows, and springs, flanked by high peaks covered in snow until late summer washes over them.

The highest peak top in Albania is the Albanian Alps, which is part of the Prokletije or Accursed Mountains range. The most beautiful mountainous locations that people may visit are Dajti Mountain, Thethi, Tropoj, Voskopoja, Valbona, Kelmend, Prespa, Lake Koman, Dukat, and Shkrel.

National parks and World Heritage Sites

There are many tourist industry organizations, such as ATA, Unioni…

Albania has two World Heritage Sites (Berat and Gjirokastr are both recognized).

  • Butrint, an ancient Greek and Roman city.
  • Gjirokastr, an Ottomanmedieval town that has been beautifully maintained
  • Berat is known as the “Town of a Thousand and One Windows.”

Albania’s UNESCO Tentative List is as follows:

  • Gashi River and Rrajca (later part of Shebenik-Jabllanica National Park) are located in primeval Carpathian beech woods and old German beech forests.
  • Durrës Amphitheatre
  • Ancient Tombs of Lower Selca
  • Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region
  • Ancient City of Apollonia

Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, and Italy account for the bulk of international tourists to Albania. The majority of foreign tourists are from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and the Czech Republic, but many also come from Western Europe, including Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Scandinavia, and other countries.

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