In the conference “Innovative solutions for sustainable tourism”, held at the University of Shkodra, it was said that the rapid development of the tourism sector has highlighted the need for innovative ideas to cope with the growing flow of tourists, developing a sustainable tourism that preserves the values of nature.
During the last year Albania was visited by 10.1 million visitors while, in the first two months of this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism, the number of foreign visitors increased by 55 percent compared to the same period a year ago. These rhythms, according to the head of the tourism department at the University of Shkodra, Mirjan Dibra, must be responded to with innovative ideas.
“These innovative ideas increase the tourist appeal of our country and make it possible to be competitive. Let's give ideas to be competitive with other countries and make it possible to extend the tourist season”.
Sanida Kraja and Benida Beqiri are two of the four young people who created the company “PikHost”. They say that, due to immigration, the number of apartments that continue to be closed is high. This encouraged them, through contracts with landlords, to do short-term management of vacant properties, renting them out and offering high-level hospitality services to foreign visitors.
“I think that in the span of 5 years we will not be able to cope with the large number of tourists if we do not find innovative solutions. Only we can destroy this beautiful thing that is being built in the field of tourism. Therefore, we are here to show how we built our “PikHost” project, the way we are committed to advancing tourism and the idea that it extends over time.”
At the “Innovative solutions for sustainable tourism” conference, 10 students of the scientific master's degree in the field of tourism presented their ideas, including the student Luan Hysa.
“These methods that we have selected from international experience are easily applicable in Albania, they have all the conditions, only that more work needs to be done on the unification of Albanian businesses. Their cooperation with the state and the acceptance of these methods, so that they do not see them as something foreign, but welcome them”.
Despite a winter with very little snow, mountain tourism continues to grow significantly. The Alps of Albania, with Valbona, Thethi, Lëpusha and Vermoshi, are part of the tourist guides. The head of the tourist agency “Nord Albania”, Roza Rupa, says that the interest of foreign visitors is great, but it is necessary to develop these areas while protecting the natural environment.
“The number one condition for the development of a tourist destination, always referring to the natural features, the history of the area, is the development of private property, but always referring to the laws in force for the protection of nature and national parks, such as Thethi” .
Although there are more than two months left from the opening of the new summer tourist season, most of the hotels have already completed their bookings. However, it remains to be seen how much the Albanian tourism business has managed to preserve and further develop the experience of last year, when a record number of tourists visited Albania, lured by its natural beauty, food and hospitality.