The Identification and importance of local and traditional food offered by tourist businesses in Shkodra lake area

• Pages: 46-61
• Date: 01 January 2025
• Published date: 01 January 2025
• Author: Xhevaire Dulja,Elida Boshnjaku,Ermelinda Satka,Arben Tërpollari,Enkela Hoxha,Shpresim Domi

46

Vol.9 No.1

January, 2025

European Journal of Economics, Law

and Social Sciences

E-ISSN 2520-0429

ISSN 2519-1284

The Identication and importance of local and traditional food oered by

tourist businesses in Shkodra lake area

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xhevaire Dulja

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

PhD (C.) Elida Boshnjaku

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

PhD. Ermelinda Satka

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

PhD. Arben Tërpollari

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

PhD. Enkela Hoxha

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shpresim Domi

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

DOI: hps://doi.org/10.2478/ejels-2025-0004

Abstract

The Shkodra Lake area and the region of Malësia e Madhe are known for their breathtaking

natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions. Both regions provide visitors

with a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural depth, making them ideal destinations

for those seeking an authentic and immersive experience in northern Albania. The focus on

sustainable tourism in recent years has also led to increased eorts to promote and protect

local traditions, making Shkodra Lake and Malësia e Madhe an exceptional showcase of

Albania’s natural and cultural treasures. This study purpose is to identify and describe the

territory products in Shkodra and Malësi e Madhe municipalities as well as to explore local

and traditional food products oered by tourism businesses in Shkodra lake area of Albania.

Through 40 surveys with local tourism businesses, 5 focus groups with (farmers, shermen,

scientic community and employee of an international project for local development) and semi-

Research Article

© 2025 Xhevaire Dulja, Elida Boshnjaku, Ermelinda Satka,

Arben Tërpollari, Enkela Hoxha and Shpresim Domi

This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons

Aribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

(hps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

1

European Journal of Economics, Law

and Social Sciences

E-ISSN 2520-0429

ISSN 2519-1284

Vol.8 No.3

October, 2024

1

Vol. 9 No.2

September, 2023

Balkan Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

E-ISSN 2411-9725

ISSN 2410-759X

Research Article

© 2023 Ardita Abazi Imeri

This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons

Aribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

(hps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Deliberating in the Gray Zone: North Macedonia’s Hybrid Regime and

Deliberative Democracy Exercise

Ardita Abazi Imeri

European Policy Institute (EPI) – Skopje

DOI: hps://doi.org/10.2478/bjir-2023-0001

Abstract

Deliberative polling has emerged as a promising method for promoting democratic reform

and citizen engagement in various contexts, however, its potential and limitations in hybrid

regimes, where democratic governance is challenged by a mix of democratic and authoritarian

features, remain relatively unexplored. This paper focuses on the case of North Macedonia,

as a country that has undergone signicant political and societal transformation especially in

the recent years. Despite eorts to promote democratic reforms, the country continues to face

challenges in terms of ensuring democratic governance and citizen participation. In a hybrid

regime, like North Macedonia’s, political leaders might not be inclined to value citizens’

input, and the media environment might not be free from inuence, which limits access to

varied and reliable sources of information. Civil society organizations may also encounter

limitations on their operations, and institutional assistance may be insucient. Additionally,

the population’s diversity could make it dicult to reach and build trust with citizens. In

this context, deliberative polling represents an opportunity to engage citizens in meaningful

political dialogue and institutional reform. This paper examines the potential of deliberative

polling as a tool for promoting governance in North Macedonia and highlights the challenges

and limitations faced in this process.

Keywords: deliberative poll, hybrid regime, authoritarian, democracy.

1. Introduction

Democracy around the world is in crisis. In general, the state of democracy world-

wide indicates a lack of progress (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2022). Looking at the

global picture, 2022 fell short of expectations for democracy, as it was anticipated that

the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions might result in an improvement in the

overall score. Both the Freedom House Report 2022 and the Economist Intelligence

Unit’s Democracy Index (EIU) 2022 indicate that the state of democracy around the

world is facing signicant challenges and setbacks.

Research Article

© 2024 Etleva Dobjani and Saimir Kristo

This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons

Aribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

(hps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Unveiling the Subterranean Heritage: A Case Study of the Underground City

of Kukës, Albania

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Etleva Dobjani

Head of the Department of Architecture and Design, Barleti University, Tirana, Albania

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Saimir Kristo

Vice Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Creative Industries, Barleti University,

Tirana, Albania

DOI: hps://doi.org/10.2478/ejels-2024-0014

Abstract

This paper investigates the viability of conserving and repurposing Kukës’ underground city,

which was built as a system of civil defence tunnels during the communist era in Albania.

Beneath contemporary Kukës, the underground complex, which houses administrative oces

and hospitals, is an important but underutilized historical and architectural asset. This study

assesses the architectural elements, historical value, and present state of the tunnels using

an extensive methodology that includes expert interviews, public consultations, on-site

inspections, and archival research. Results highlight the site’s dual signicance as a historical

landmark and a possible center for innovation and tourism.

The research oers strategic proposals for reviving the tunnels to strengthen the local economy,

maintain cultural identity, and increase tourist araction, drawing on foreign case studies. By

promoting the inclusion of Kukës’ underground city in larger regional development projects

and considering both community goals and pragmatic concerns, the article adds to the current

conversations in urban planning and cultural preservation.

Sustaining and repurposing Kukës’ underground city has various benets, including

enhanced cultural tourism and economic resurgence that encourage sustainable growth, the

paper points out. Still, challenges like deteriorating infrastructure, security concerns, and

accessibility issues must be overcome. Urban planners and politicians can apply the research’s

practical implications by using it to develop a model for cultural preservation that aligns with

modern social and economic goals.

A sense of shared identity and legacy among the local community’s members is fostered by

the initiative, which has signicant social implications as well. The study has some drawbacks,

including the need for signicant funding and the potential for opposition from groups who

do not recognize the advantages of these kinds of initiatives. To summarise, this research

highlights the potential of adaptive reuse to bolster the sustainability and resilience of urban

47

European Journal of Economics, Law

and Social Sciences

E-ISSN 2520-0429

ISSN 2519-1284

Vol.9 No.1

January, 2025

structured interviews with local key-actors, a variety of traditional dishes and locally sourced

ingredients were identied, including Mishavinë cheese, native breed meats, traditional sh-

dishes, fruit and vegetable varieties as well as herbal teas from indigenous wild plants. These

oerings reect the area’s rich culinary heritage and provide a unique, authentic experience

for tourists.

Findings reveal that traditional food is among the top factors inuencing customer satisfaction,

alongside the natural landscape. This underscores the importance of local gastronomy in

aracting visitors and supporting sustainable tourism as well rural development. Furthermore,

the study emphasizes the need for increased promotion from the tourist businesses, improved

infrastructure, and community training to help in the showcase the traditional products

eectively in both domestic and international markets. By focusing on local food, the Shkodra

Lake area can strengthen its identity as a cultural and gastronomic tourism destination,

beneting both the economy and community heritage.

Keywords: Tourist businesses, local food, origin territory products, Shkodra lake, Albania.

1. Introduction

The tourism is becoming the keyword of Albania’s social and economic development.

According, the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development (NSTD)

(Ministry of Tourism and Environment 2019-2023), the data show the growth of tourism

as one of the sectors that bring more revenue to the state budget, entrepreneurial and

family budgets, with a direct contribution of 8.5% to GDP and an indirect added

value of 26.2%. Also, one of specic goals of the NSTD, is the development of tourism

products in Albania. This category includes a number of specic forms of tourism,

such as agritourism, event and business tourism, cultural tourism (heritage, history,

religion, etc.). According to the ocial website of the Shkoder County Council,

Shkodra region is also, one of the main destinations visited by organized cultural

tours. Shkodra region is an area that oers several special types of tourist aractions

which are unique to the country and beyond.

In Albania, there are eleven products of origin that enhance and protect the brand

‘Made in Albania’, which were presented by the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development. They are “Mishavina cheese” in Bjeshke (upland) of Kelmendi,

honey from Bedunica of Përmet, boiled cheese of Hot in Malësi e Madhe as well as

goat cheese in the Bjeshke (upland) Rrunja, Dibër etc. These products represent not

only the rst certied products for geographical indications, designation of origin

and guaranteed traditional specialty, but they dene a part of the national tradition

and identity, which makes a nation or state known in the world.

In the recent years, traditional products in Albania have started to be more and

more recognized by consumers. In addition, the development of agritourism as a

sustainable trend has inuenced the development and promotion of traditional

products, creating a natural link between agritourism, touristic farms and local

producers. It is important to emphasize that, the development of local products

directly aects the rural development and vice versa. Local foods can enormously

enrich the tourism experience by connecting tourists with the heart and soul of a