Nowadays, where entrepreneurship is seen as the engine of economic development and innovation, the journeys of young entrepreneurs serve as sources of inspiration for future generations. One of these routes is that of Erison Ballashen, founder of SunEasy Albania, a platform that aims to change the way the squares and tents are booked on Albanian beaches. Our article explores the path that led to SunEasy's creation, the concrete operation of the platform, the innovative mission and vision of the company, as well as customer feedback and plans for the future.
How did the idea of founding Sun Easy Albania come about?
Albania, as a growing tourist destination, expects an increasing number of visitors every year. Based on INSTAT's sources, statistics show that we have a significant increase in tourists who visited Albania last year, and there is expected to be an even greater increase this year and the next years. However, the current process of booking for sunbeds and beach tents has often involved abuses regarding prices and has been difficult for tourists to enjoy the natural beauties of the Albanian coast, especially during the three summer months when there is a large influx of tourists. The idea of a centralized platform that allows easy access to every part of the Albanian coastline is important to improve the tourist experience and to facilitate their journey through our wonderful beaches.
Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to improve access, our group embarked on a collaborative journey, engaging with local stakeholders, tourism experts and technology enthusiasts to bring our vision to life. Through extensive research and feedback-backed development, SunEasy Albania appears more than a booking platform – a tool of convenience, accessibility, inclusion and equality along Albania's stunning coastline.
How does the SunEasy platform for beach bookings work, and what are the features that make it special and easy to use?
SunEasy Platform is a simple and intuitive platform for use, which offers an easy and efficient experience to book sunbeds and tents on the beaches of the Albanian coast. Users can select a wide range of options available on their favorite beaches, through detailed photos and descriptions of each location and what services they offer to tourists. Through the platform, they can choose the sunbed and the tent they want, choose the date and time of stay, and then make their reservation immediately. One of the main features that makes SunEasy special is that users can see in real time the availability of sunbeds and beach umbrellas, allowing them to plan ahead and secure their place on the beach without delays or disturbations. The platform also offers the option for online booking payment, making the process easier and more convenient for users. Through a user interface well designed and suitable for mobile phones and other smart devices, SunEasy provides a unique and easy experience for all those who want to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Albania.
What's your mission? What is the problem you are solving?
Our mission at SunEasy is to provide a comfortable and inclusive experience for those who want to enjoy the amazing beaches of Albania. We work to address the problems and challenges that tourists and local businesses face during the tourist season, providing an innovative platform for booking sunbeds and beach umbrellas efficiently. We also have a strong commitment to increasing social impact and positive impact on the community. In this regard, SunEasy is working to collaborate with local businesses to future finance and develop accessibility features for disabled users. This includes building options for wheelchair accessible sezlongs, providing assistance to disabled individuals, and supporting multiple languages to cater for a diverse user base. Through these initiatives, we aim to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the Albanian Riviera.
Who is your main target audience? How are you trying to achieve them?
The audience includes local and international tourists visiting Albania for holidays, as well as beach businesses that offer such services. Families: Parents and children looking for an experience on the beach without any hardship and a range of easiest services, as well as people with limited ability who will have specifically built sites for them.
What is innovative about your platform?
What our innovative platform does is to provide a sustainable and convenient solution to the problems of booking on beaches and coastal businesses in Albania. In a market where the current process has many delays, abuses and difficulties, SunEasy brings a new and more efficient alternative. Some of the innovative features of our platform include:
Real-Time Availability: allows tourists to plan and reserve their beach spot in real time and without delay.
The well-designed and easy-to-navigate user interface makes it easy for users to browse, select their favorite options and make reservations in a simple and fast way.
Centralized space: For promotion of any beach or business that offers these services on the Albanian coast
The platform will offer accessible facilities and services for disabled users, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Albania.
These features make SunEasy distinct in the market and make it a preferred solution for local tourists and businesses.
How have customers reacted to your platform?
We are currently working on testing an MVP we have created, which has been well received by people in the field of tourism and innovation, as well as with some potential businesses in coastal areas, who have expressed their desire to collaborate with the Platform SunEasy Albania as soon as possible.
How do you feel being one of the winners of the online competition for the best idea of social entrepreneurship within the EYSET project? What does this mean for you and for the SunEasy platform?
Being one of the winners of the online competition for the best idea of social entrepreneurship within the EYSET project is an extraordinary success for us and for the SunEasy platform. This shows a recognition of the value of our idea to promote sustainable tourism and involve the local community on the path towards sustainable development. This victory is further reinforced by the fact that this success came in a wide-ranging competition, at one of the largest tourism conferences in Brussels, giving us a confirmation that we are on the right track. For SunEasy, this success means a boost in user and investor confidence, as well as an increase in awareness of our positive impact on society and the environment. We are committed to continuing to develop our platform and extend our positive impact even further to tourism and the local community.
What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future are focused on developing and growing the SunEasy platform in order to improve the traveler experience and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in Albania. To achieve this, we aim to expand our cooperation with local authorities, local businesses and communities around coastal areas. We also plan to invest in further development of accessibility features for people with disabilities and continue to create positive impacts on our environment and society. Furthermore, we intend to expand to other tourist markets and extend our influence beyond Albania's borders. In a word, our plans are to focus on growth, innovation and sustainable impact on society and the environment.
SunEasy Albania is not just a booking platform; It is a move towards more sustainable and inclusive tourism on the Albanian coast. With a commitment to address tourism challenges and bring about a positive change, SunEasy is setting a new standard in the coastal tourism sector. As the platform continues to grow and improve, the expectation is that it will become a key tool not only for tourists but also for the sustainable development of coastal communities. /Business Magazine Albania