Tourism impacts and trends; Albania in focus

• Author: Arjana Kadiu
• Position: University 'Aleksander Moisiu', Durres, Albania
• Pages: 152-163

Vol. 4 No. 1

March, 2018

Academic Journal of Business, Administration, Law and Social Sciences

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

ISSN 2410-3918

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

152

Tourism impacts and trends; Albania in focus

Arjana Kadiu

University “Aleksander Moisiu”, Durres, Albania

Abstract

The tourism industry, is certainly one of the fastest developing industries in the world and it is

ranked among the biggest, in terms of contribution to the economy. It o ers huge employment

opportunities in all its related sectors, such as construction, tele- communication, transport or

others and has a great social and cultural impact.

Especially over the last decades, tourism grew continuously and aimlessly. The growing

number of new destinations had its signifi cant impact in the socio- economic progres all over

the world.

For many world countries including Albania, which are in a developing phase, tourism

represents one of the most important sources of income. But not only; compared to the oil

exports, automobiles industry or food industry, the volume of tourism is equal and sometimes,

in certain areas, it surpasses these important industries. Therefore, tourism is currently ranked

among the leading industries, which have a crucial infl uence in the international commerce.

The more tourism grows, the tougher the competition becomes. Hence, countries should work

hard to improve their touristic o er. Obviously, the be er the quality, the higher the revenue

and the contribution to the conomy.

According to studies from the UNWTO (the organization that supports countries to fi nd a

sustainable position in the current national and international markets), particularly developing

countries are in the position to benefi t from sustainable tourism.

But what is Albania’s position in the world map of Travel and Tourism? How big is the impact

of tourism industry in the economy and employment of this developing country? What are the

current trends and issues? Is it given priority to the development of this industry?

Although its potential is great, its resources are very diverse and rare and now this country is

recuperating all those missing years, issues related to globalization, must be considered very

carefully. If resources are not properly and carefully preserved, the country may quickly lose

its originality and natural beauty.

Keywords: tourism, Albania, impact, focus, economy.

Introduction

We may all be somehow surprized to discover that travel and tourism beginnings

may date a long time ago, in ancient civilisation around Mediterranean. In ancient

times, people used to travel mainly for war or trade purposes. Sometimes they also

traveled for pilgrimage. Religious festivals were organised in ancient Egypt; festivals

which a racted, not only religious people but also others, who came to see the city

and its art works, the famous pyramids or the Sfi nks. Among egiptians, people from

byzantine empire began to travel, since the era before Christ.

Ancient Greeks would travel every year to visit a series of festivals and games, also

the fi rst ancient Olympic games. Referring to the tourism defi nition, as the practice

of traveling for refreshment of strength and spirits a er work, ancient greeks were