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"Maldives of Europe" for foreign tourists, but the south is becoming too expensive for Albanians

2023-08-03 16:25:32Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
"Maldives of Europe" for foreign tourists, but the south is becoming
"Maldives of Europe" for foreign tourists, but the south is becoming too expensive for Albanians

It's the weekend and you escape from the noise of the capital to your favorite beach in the south of the country.

You are staying in the same hotel, choosing the same beaches and restaurants as every year, but the bill is more "salty".

Albania this season is experiencing a tourist "boom" with hundreds of foreigners arriving in the country every day, thanks to the promotion of Albanian beauties on social networks and in prestigious international media, which describe Albania as the "European Maldives". , "Bali in the Mediterranean" or "Greece on a budget". 3.4 million foreigners have come to the country this year, 33% more than a year ago. The increase in demand has also led to an increase in supply, so the service sector offers higher prices.

For foreign tourists, Albania remains the "low cost" holiday destination, compared to other countries in the region such as Greece or Croatia. But for locals, domestic vacations are becoming more and more expensive. 60% of Albanians cannot afford to spend a week on vacation, according to the Balkan Barometer survey for 2023.

Public space as an alternative, but the law is not respected on the beaches

Economic expert Fatos Çoçoli says that due to the growing number of tourists, prices will continue to rise, while emphasizing the importance of respecting the law on public beaches, which would reduce the costs of vacations for Albanian families.

"That our coast is becoming more expensive, this is true, especially the south coast. The only thing that can be done in this case is to create more public spaces. This should be a task not only of the central government, but primarily of the municipalities, so that the citizen does not have to spend more on the private tent or sunbed. This is a very small part, with which a large mass of citizens can be helped. 6 out of 10 Albanian families find it very difficult or impossible to afford even a week's vacation due to high prices. Unfortunately, these prices will continue to be so for some time due to the fact that foreign visitors find an attractive environment on our beaches and competitive prices compared to our neighbors.

"Low cost" off-season vacations

Çoçoli proposes off-season vacations, in May or September. The state, he says, should make it easier for tourist operators to offer cheap packages, affordable even by a family with minimal income, outside the peak season.

"The only thing that can be done is for the state to create facilities for all those tourist operators who offer much more favorable prices for the period from May to mid-June, since Albanian families with modest incomes cannot afford the period from June 15 to September 1. Even in September they can be accessible for these families and against the relevant benefits, a much lower tax, either for the nights of stay of these families in hotels, or for other expenses if they decide to have a treatment with complete food. Many neighboring states do this for students, pensioners, for some categories. There is no reason why our state should not also cover it, provide facilities for families with modest incomes to enjoy their vacations at the seaside".

"Unreachable" destinations

While tourism expert Flora Xhemani Baba explains that some beaches in the south of the country are unaffordable for Albanians with average incomes and says that the Adriatic beaches offer the best deals.

"Albania is an expensive destination for anyone who does not find a fair balance between the available budget and the prices that the market offers. The point is, if you are a person with a minimum or average salary, of course it is an expensive destination if you are looking to relax on the Riviera, especially in the most coveted segments. But it's an affordable destination if you find a good deal on the Adriatic beaches, from Spille and up in the northwest. Even in the South, there are beaches that have not yet been included in the whirlwind of so-called high or unaffordable prices by Albanians, and where, with an accommodation in family structures, economic vacations can be made".

From Velipoja to Saranda, how much do vacations cost?

But how much does a week's vacation on the Adriatic and Ionian coast cost us?

"The ratio between the South and Durrës for the same holiday standard has no more or little difference because most of the luxury hotels of Durres, which have already all turned into resorts (mainly family), have the same price level as hotels of the south. The price per person in Durrës this summer in these hotels varies from 100 to 120 euros per person with everything included. Whereas in hotels in the South, where almost no 'all inclusive' package is offered, the prices of double, triple and family rooms vary from 150 to 250 euros per night, distributing the budget per person more or less at the same levels. Of course, this is the highest price, because there are also alternatives of cheaper hotels, rooms for rent or apartments with cooking facilities. While in the north,

Which destinations are more economical?

The expert lists some budget destinations for Top Channel readers, which include some lesser-known beaches.

"Economic choices are available all over the coast, even in Dhërmi you can find options for acceptable prices, but if we were to list a few, they are Borshi, Buneci, Lukova, Qeparoi, Radhima, Plazhi i Vjetër in Vlora, Zvrneci, Semani in Fier, it is completely undiscovered, Spilleja, which is also a beach that is not part of the list of wanted beaches at all. The beaches of Qerret and Karpën in Kavaje are very economical family destinations. In Lezha, in addition to Shengjin, we already have Talen as a quiet and family choice, as well as Velipoja and Rrjolli, the two northern beaches that also offer very economical prices. All the destinations I mentioned above are very well used by tourists from Kosovo".

Apart from the sea, alternative solutions for even cheaper vacations are Pogradeci, Shiroka or Zogaj./ TCH


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