Albania 2030 / economic development based on turism BESNIK ALIAJ

Author:  Besnik Aliaj
Affiliation: Polis University, Tirana Albania

Background
Albania possesses highly valuable potentials for the development of tourism, which ensures long-term economic development and social-environmental prosperity. Albania is presently considered one of 10 fastest growing economies, based on its own GDP, and it is recommended as one of the world’s top 10 touristic destinations. The country has a 450 km long costal line, 300 of which are located along the Adriatic Sea, and 150 along the Ionian Sea. These areas include 24 areas of high-quality touristic potential locations, mostly on virgin and undeveloped territories. In the meantime, more than half of the country’s surface is mountainous, above 600m from the sea level, and on these areas we find 15 other areas full of touristic potentials. Based on these facts, the main conclusion presents a clear need for the implementation of a national system of access and a pragmatic network of roads, which must be sensitive towards environmental values and the uniqueness of the landscape. They should be based on a ring-radial transportation and circulation system.