Albania sees tourism occupying a major portion of its economy

Thursday, August 29, 2019

The tourist trade in the north-western Albanian resort of Shengjin on the Adriatic Sea coast has brought in good times for Noriman Hasani.

Hasani, hailing from Ferizaj in Kosovo, has operated his fast-food restaurant at the beach in Shengjin for almost a decade, opening every year during the tourist season.

And Hasani is not alone. Along the Shengjin coastline, there are about 250 different businesses that have been set up by Kosovo citizens, operating only during the three months of the tourist season. They are easily identifiable by their names, services and products that they offer and the clientele that comes to them frequently.

“Since Shengjin is a seaside town near Kosovo, I liked it as a place and decided to open a small business here,” said Hasani. “At first we were prejudiced because we were newcomers, but we soon got used to the place,” he added.

Hasani said that although his business has seen a decline in revenue in recent years, he is satisfied and he wants local and central government in Albania to invest more in improving utility services.

The tourism industry occupies an important place in the Albanian economy and is a major resource for the country’s development.

5.9 million tourists visited Albania in 2018, of which 2.78 million were tourists who came to spend their holidays. Foreign nationals spent an average of 4.3 nights in Albania, spending an average of 52 Euros per day.

Since Shengjin is mostly frequented by Kosovo citizens, businesses set up by small entrepreneurs from Kosovo in the service industry is also growing over the last decade.

« Back to Page

• Albania is the host country for ITB Berlin 2025

• EBRD increasing its support for agri-business and tourism

• Italian PM pays surprise visit to Albania

• Jazeera Airways gears up for summer 2023 with five European destinations

• Jazeera Airways gears up for summer 2023 with five European destinations