Albania has recently declared the Vjosa Wild River National Park, but now faces the challenge of balancing tourism growth with the preservation of vulnerable natural areas, especially in coastal zones. To help Albania become a leader in sustainable tourism, IUCN-Med, Intrepid Travel, and the MEET Network have teamed up to create an ecotourism package that enables international visitors to discover the country’s hidden natural treasures.
The Albania Expedition tour, departing from Tirana, guides visitors through breathtaking natural sites, such as the Shalë River, Vlora Bay, and the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park. This park is home to one of Europe’s largest colonies of Dalmatian pelicans and offers opportunities to learn about the protection of these pelicans and sea turtles, meet local craftsmen, and engage in hands-on activities. The ecotourism itinerary follows a standard that ensures a socio-economic positive impact both for local communities and natural ecosystems.
The ecotourism package was developed with the support of the InterregMED Programme DestiMED PLUS project, in which the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation participated. The itinerary was conceptualized by the National Agency of Protected Areas in Albania together with the park, local tour operators, and other local service providers.
The project exemplifies how an initiative developed with EU funding can reach the marketplace with a viable tourism package, contributing to the transformation of the tourism sector in the Mediterranean. Pascale Fauveau-Lagaye, Project Officer of the Interreg MED Joint Secretariat, stressed the importance of integrating sustainability into tourism practices, particularly in fragile areas such as protected areas.
“It is essential to integrate elements of sustainability into tourism practices in the Mediterranean. And particularly in the most fragile areas such as protected areas. The DestiMED PLUS project, by involving all the stakeholders, has been able to develop eco-itineraries that contribute to the protection of the environment and the inhabitants, while supporting the local economy. Thus giving a concrete answer to this common challenge” Fauveau-Lagave said.
MEET is a network of Mediterranean protected areas that works with local tourism stakeholders to design sustainable, high-quality ecotourism experiences. These experiences generate income to support local communities while financing nature conservation efforts. The itineraries are also backed up by a robust sustainability system that helps to measure and minimize their Ecological Footprint, as well as maximizing their social impact.
The Albania Expedition tour represents a significant step towards more environmentally sustainable tourism planning and management in Albania, as it balances conservation and tourism policy goals and enhances the value of protected areas. The ecotourism package exemplifies how international organizations and local communities can work together to protect biodiversity and create positive socio-economic impacts.
