TIRANA, Nov 24 /ATA/ – The directors and senior representatives of the Balkan news agencies, during their stay in Albania in the framework of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SEE) General Assembly, visited Vlora, the third largest city on the southern coast of Albania and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
This trip was designed to explore and promote Albania’s tourism resources in the countries of the region through the information the news agencies provide for the public.
During the stay, the ABNA-SEE delegations visited the Vlora Municipality building, where they were welcomed by Deputy Mayor of the southern coastal city, Shkëlqim Rama, who provided an outline of the city’s history and cultural heritage, saying Vlora is home to some of the greatest beaches in Albania, ancient monasteries, natural monuments, castles and archaeological parks.
During the meeting, municipal officials also familiarized the visiting delegations from the Balkan news agencies on a series of projects being implemented by Vlora Municipality in collaboration with the central government, including a brand new international airport due to be built in a very near future.
The Director General of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Armela Krasniqi emphasized that the new airport is expected to give a strong impetus to development of tourism in Albania and the country’s southern part in particular.
The Greek press agency ANA-MPA’s Foreign Relations Advisor, Michalis Psilos, former director general of this agency, said what he was seeing and experiencing first hand was really incredible.
Psilos said he had visited first Albania as a reporter in 1989, when he wrote a feature story and the first city to visit was Vlora.
“What I am saying is really incredible. I didn’t expect to see such a transformed city,” Psilos said.
Krasniqi said that “local people are very hospitable and welcoming and they have transformed their own private homes into guesthouses to welcome visitors.”
The delegation visited then the Museum of Independence to learn more about Albania’s independence history and Albanian people struggle not only for territorial sovereignty, but also for cultural independence.
Representatives from the Balkan news agencies also visited the Narta lagoon, as well as the island of Zvernec, where they were amazed at the fantastic landscape combining with the old 13th-century Saint Mary church, home to a collection of very old frescoes.
Their trip to Vlora ended with a walk down the Waterfront Promenade, Lungomare, a dynamic reflection of the development of the coastal city over the past few years.
/k.s/r.e/u.sh/
