Rising Tourism in Albania

Albania is a country that has gone through numerous wars, corruption, poverty and struggle, which has shaped the country and people to be proud and strong. In the 21st century however it has begun to build itself up and restore it back to its original beautiful place it once was. Albania “land of the Eagle” is a small, growing, prosperous country in the south of Europe. Not known for its tourism in the past Albania is slowly but surely rising to the top to prove that they are not just another poor country in the Balkans. It is slowly becoming a wondrous spectacular tourist destination. With the rich history dating back to the Illyrians, the proud culture, the lushes mountainous hills in the north, the peaceful sandy beaches in the south and diverse areas Albania will soon rise up to becoming one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe, said to become “the next Prague (CBC).”

Tourism is one of the best things to happen to Albania in a long time. In the past Albania was isolated from the world and not heard of. Being run by a dictator for so long, the country was run by fear and now that the country is open to the world tourism is benefiting Albania tremendously. Tourism is helping Albania by cleaning the waste management; oil spills soil erosions bringing in money for the country to restore ancient ruins, creating numerous jobs and businesses. Tourism is becoming a major part of this growing country.

Facts about Albania

Official name:

Shqiperia

Location:

South East Europe, off the coast of Adriatic And Ionian Sea, Bordering Montenegro, Serbia and Greece. Balkan area.

Terrain:

70% mountainous, hills, valleys, by the coast plain and flat

Area:

28 748 km

Climate:

Mediterranean climate: warm dry summers cold wet winters

Population:

3, 600, 523

Language:

Albanian

Ethnic Groups:

95% Albanian, 3% Greek, 2% other

Religion:

70% Bektahsi (Type of Muslim, which is less fanatical), 20% Orthodox, 10% Roman Catholic

Capital:

Tirana

Government:

Democracy

Prime Minister:

Sali Berisha

GDP per capita:

$ 5 600

Currency:

Lek

How Tourism Affects the Economy

Tourism is relatively new in Albania, and at the moment it is not a hugely reliant on the money it receives from tourism. It is relatively new because of who was in power of the country for so long. Albania was dictated by a man named Enver Hoxha for 46 years. He believed greatly in Marxism and admired and was friends with his ally Stalin of the Soviet Union. He isolated the world from Albania, leaving it unnoticeable and unknown for nearly a half a century. He exploited the people by robbing and executing wealthy landowners and innocent civilians to build industrial factories to profit the money for himself. Enver Hoxha ran the country into the ground by stealing money, executing innocent people, and corruption in the government. In 1992 after years under a socialist party, Enver Hoxha died and the people of Albania took back what was rightfully theirs.