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Tirana has conquered the world media again. It is the British “The Guardian” which has devoted a special space to increasing the number of tourists who choose Albania to visit, while the magic of the capital that this year bears the title of European Youth Capital stands out.
“There is a lot to see and do in Tirana, which is safe, you can walk it, noisy and always with tourists. There is a thriving scene of bars and restaurants, especially in the Block and many museums to visit. Tirana is the European Youth Capital for 2022 and will host a program of art and culinary activities as well as concerts by Dua Lipa and Rita Ora“, Writes The Guardian ..
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Albania has been on the radar of brave travelers with backpacks for some time, but this year tour operators predict that it will become a major holiday destination for the British, after an increase in bookings this January, writes Rachel Hall for the well-known British newspaper The Guardian.
Interest in the country has gradually increased over the last decade, as it has slowly opened up after a 44-year dictatorship that ended in 1985. Tour operators have seen a significant increase in bookings for 2022 as Albania expands its appeal to the people. looking for beautiful beaches and landscapes as well as interesting culture and history at a lower price than neighboring destinations.
“Albania is one of those small and diverse destinations that can offer a little bit of everything to anyone, just like Montenegro or Slovenia,” said Tine Murn, co-founder of New Deal Europe, a marketing agency for Balkan tourism.
He adds that Albania claims such a thing because it is an “undiscovered Mediterranean gem” and “still conveys an exotic feeling”.
“This is particularly attractive at the moment, as people are reluctant to travel long distances due to the pandemic, and not just because Albania has had a very low rate of Covid-19 infection and there have been no restrictions for most of the pandemic “, he emphasizes.
Albania’s National Tourism Agency sees the UK as “an emerging market” and has been actively promoting tourism in recent years. The country is also becoming much easier to travel as the standard of accommodation has improved and infrastructure costs have increased, with a new road connecting the western mountains with the east coastline opening this year.
The great Albanian Diaspora of Great Britain and its celebrities such as the football player of “Southampton”, Armando Broja and the pop stars Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, have further helped in raising the profile of the country.
Flights from Great Britain to Tirana are increasingly available and in demand.
“Skyscanner reservation website said it had seen a 48% increase in bookings in Albania compared to 2019, reflecting interest in lesser-known destinations, which are traditionally considered out of focus.” The average bookings were for 2.1 people suggesting that they are currently booking mainly couples and friends.
However, Elton Caushi, who runs the tour operator “Albanian Trip” said that visitors had “changed significantly” in recent years.
“Croatia entered the map at the end of the former Yugoslav conflicts, Bulgaria and Romania surprised Europe with their beauty and history when they became part of the EU, and now the continent is eager to discover more. “The day has come for one of Europe’s last secrets.”
Zina Bencheikh, Managing Director for Europe at Intrepid Travel, said there has been an increase in bookings this year, in part due to the fact that Albania offers carbon-free adventures of a long flight, as people were more aware than ever for environmental impact ”.
Wild Frontiers, one of the first operators to launch tours in Albania, said demand for its one-week guided tours – the only ones offering under ster 1,000 – increased by 30% last January. Its founder, Jonny Bealby, said the country was “determined to thrive” in the coming years.
He said that Albania had come a long way since the time of communism. He recalled that when he first started traveling to this country, 12 years ago, the tourist infrastructure was completely lacking.
He sees Albania as part of a new wave of destinations, including Georgia, Slovakia and Pakistan, that are growing in popularity as travelers seek to escape overcrowded tourists.
“These were places that were very special destinations a decade ago and now they are becoming more common as people look for strange and different places and away from the crowds,” he said.
Historical points of Albania
“Dig” in the rich past of Albania by visiting cities and fortresses on top of hills such as Kruja, the first capital of the country, or Gjirokastra and Berat. Greek and Roman ruins are also found in Apollonia and Butrint. For an overview of the country’s recent history under communist dictator Enver Hoxha, explore one of the many bunkers built to protect citizens from the paranoid regime.
Landscapes that leave you breathless
The Albanian Alps are a spectacular mountain range with excellent hiking trails that will take you around some of Europe’s cleanest rivers, remote villages and stunning scenery. Albania also has several large lakes – Ohrid, Prespa and Shkodra – to explore. A new road, that of Arbri, will open this year and connect the western and eastern sides of the country with the traditional heart in the mountains with its coastline.
A vibrant capital
There is a lot to see and do in Tirana, which is safe, you can walk it, noisy and always with tourists. There is a thriving scene of bars and restaurants, especially in the Block and many museums to visit. Tirana is the European Youth Capital for 2022 and will host a program of art and culinary activities as well as concerts by Dua Lipa and Rita Ora.
Beautiful coastline
Like other Adriatic countries, Albania has a long and beautiful coastline with blue sea and beautiful beaches, fewer crowds which gives you more opportunities for spacious spaces, even for your towel.
Persuasive culture
Albania has developed a special culture, as it has been isolated from other European countries for a long time, partly due to its mountain range, which kept away external influence. Albanian cuisine is a surprising blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, based on high quality products, often sourced from chaotic local markets. The country is also an increasingly popular destination for music festivals, including the Unum electronic music festival.
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