Zeszyt naukowy - całość - Wydział ZarzÄ dzania i Ekonomiki Usług

The global financial crises impact… 23
optimal strategy for achieving these objectives, as well as for improving the country’s
overall economy 6 .
In fact, the data provided by different research show that the tourist sector is
one of the fast growing industries in the country and it has strongly benefited from
the EU integration process, making the country one of the main destinations to be
discovered. The tourist GDP is counted to be 3,8-4% and its contribution to the
whole economy is about 11%. The tourist agencies in the country, which have
grown in number and counted 116 in the year 2007 compared to 60 in the year
2004, have been promoting the most attractive places of the country, such as Butrint,
Gjirokastra and Berat 7 .
However, other very favorite tourist destinations remain the splendid virgin
beaches and the Albanian Riviera, as well as the snowy resort of the Albanian Alps.
4. International tourism in Albania
The development of the tourist sector in Albania has its own history, which
dates back in the ’20. Albania is not considered as an easy tourist destination from
the international markets. The country offers potential for different activities in
different locations. Individually all these activities are interesting, but only a few of
them really attract the attention of the international tourists.
However, Albania, through its natural and cultural attractions, aims to grab the
attention of those international tourists that are educated, relatively wealthy and
adventurous 8 .
The focus toward this specific demographic group is due to the fact that those
are more likely to spend on tourist products, and their expenditures are favorable for
the development of the country. Indeed, these groups of tourists interact directly
with the shops, restaurants, and other local businesses and they attempt to buy more
products and services that are available locally.
These incomes from the international tourism contribute to the overall economic
conditions of one country 9 . Specifically, the incomes that generate from
international tourism are generally in the foreign currency, such as American Dollar
or Euro. These incomes, once within the Albanian territory, become part of the
monetary offer in this market; there they are transformed in a financial source for
purchasing goods or services, or even for loans 10 . On the other hand, having more
6
K. Gorica, Issues of European Integration for Tourism Challenges of Albania as an
Emerge Destination, 2006.
7
UNDP, Unknown Albania, 2009.
8
B. Mirbabayev, M. Shagazatova, The Economic and Social Impact of Torusim, 2008.
9
D. Roe, H. Goodwin, C. Ashley, op.cit.