Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination

mountain sports tourism and culture tourism. Implementation of the “40 Hane” project started, aiming to
encourage rural tourism development and support improvement of conditions, promotion and preparation
of suitable tourism packages for houses of peculiar traditional architecture, particularly in the Albanian Alps
area. Attention was paid to culture tourism with the restoration of cultural monuments with state budget
commitment of 305 million ALL in 2008 and 170 million ALL in 2009. Archaeological national parks and
museums were visited by 159,000 visitors in 2008, accounting for 32.2 million ALL in revenue.
The cultural heritage policy aimed at giving these assets potential in the field of tourism. Important investments
were committed for the rehabilitation of urban objects of tourism and heritage values, such as the restoration of
Gjirokastra’s historical city centre and Qafë Pazari, Han of Zagoria, House of Çabenj, House of Ismail Kadare and
Gjirokastra Castle. Total investments reached two million EUR with funds from the state budget (43 million ALL)
and UNESCO. EC committed funds for restoration projects in the castles in Tirana, Kruja, Himara, Berat and
Lezha. In addition, the museum city of Berat was recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, included now
alongside Gjirokastër.
Tourism policies will be oriented towards improving infrastructure, thus facilitating development of the
huge potential of tourism in Albania. The aim is to enable all touristic areas, the seaside, coast, mountains and
woodlands, and the country’s cultural assets, to be easily accessible from the national roads network. Such areas
will be developed based upon general all-inclusive and thematic master plans.
Besides sea and sun tourism, Albania’s culture and history resources have great potential to generate higher revenues,
as do nature, mountain and adventure tourism as well as special interests, making possible a longer duration of the
tourism season. Investments will be made in nature and culture tourism areas in order to maintain and improve
these assets and improve their management system.
Attracting foreign investors with a strong background in tourism and operators who are well known internationally
to invest in resorts and entertainment centres offering complex tourism products will be the next step. Meanwhile,
domestic tourism businesses will be encouraged and stimulated through formalization and fiscal reduction.
In addition, management of the tourism information and data system will be improved locally and regionally in
compliance with international standards. Efforts will focus on improving the image of the country and creating a
tourism profile distinct from that of its neighbours.
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| Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination