ALB
ENG
Mr. Kasa, based on the information that you have obtained from tour operators ahead of the end of the year holidays, what will be the main destinations that Albanians will choose for these holidays?
The main destinations for these end of the year holidays are places and resorts with snow and where skiing facilities are offered. We would like to call these kinds of holidays as “white holidays”. Given that we still don’t have such resorts, we take Albanians who are interested on them in neighboring countries such as Kolashin in Montenegro or Bansko in Bulgaria. But there are also a number of Albanians who visit Budva for something different. Some of them, who can afford it, travel to spend their holidays in Paris, Vienna, Rome, etc.
What are the farthest destinations for Albanian holiday makers?
They mainly prefer Europe, but the most preferred farthest destination is Dubai.
On the other hand, how’s the situation with foreigners who visit Albania for the end of the year holidays?
Foreigners mainly visit Albania to spend the summer holidays more than the winter holidays. They mainly come from Nordic countries and central Europe. For the end of the year holidays, compared to last year, we have bigger groups of holiday makers, who are visiting Albania. They mainly come from Bulgaria, but also other countries of the region. There are also visitors from Macedonia, Kosovo, etc.
What can you tell us in relation to the latest figures issued by the Bank of Albania indicating that tourism has generated 1.5 billion lek of revenues this year?
This figure communicated by the Bank of Albania that 1.5 billion euros have been generated in the economy from tourism this year, is 40% higher than last year. This is mainly attributed to foreigners who have visited our country through holiday packages or charter flights.
How is it possible that such figure was achieved this year, with the elections and a tense political climate?
In fact, this has been a problem on its own for our country, but it was overcome, as contracts had already been concluded. Even now, we have contracts which belong to next year. In fact, an article of the contract stipulates that in case of political turmoil, the contract could be voided, but the agency was not interested on doing this and was waiting to see how the situation evolved. Such article has been incorporated in the contract because customers pay at the moment that they book their holidays. So, up until now, there are companies who have paid up to 50% of the amount of the contract for 2018.
SITUATION
“Foreigners who visit the country for holidays mainly come from Bulgaria”
“Foreigners mainly visit Albania to spend the summer holidays more than the winter holidays. We have managed to bring them here through package holidays or charters. They mainly come from Nordic countries and central Europe. For the end of the year holidays, compared to last year, we do have bigger groups of holiday makers, who are visiting Albania. They mainly come from Bulgaria, but also other countries of the region. There are also visitors from Macedonia, Kosovo, etc. So, mainly from the countries of the region.”
