TIRANA, Aug 21 /ATA/ Protected areas throughout the country have turned into main tourist attractions due to the natural beauties and diverse relief.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro said on Wednesday that 2.5 million visitors explored protected areas during January-July 2024, or 28% more than the previous year, which recorded 1.9 million visitors.
According to Kumbaro, this figure is proof of the growth of sustainable tourism, high interest in ecotourism, nature sports and curiosity to know our biodiversity.
Minister Kumbaro said that “there is an increased interest in exploring national and natural parks, nature monuments and protected landscapes from north to south, with Shkodra region on top with 609 thousand visitors”.
It is followed by Korça with 573 thousand visitors, Fier with 359 thousand visitors, Vlora with 313 thousand visitors, Durres with 212 thousand visitors, Tirana with 92 thousand visitors.
While the most visited parks during July are the Alps of Albania with 91 thousand visitors, the Protected Landscape Protected Lake of Pogradec with 74 thousand visitors, Divjaka-Karavasta National Park with 67 thousand visitors, Blue Eye with 65 thousand visitors, Valley of Shala with 37 thousand visitors, the Managed Nature Reserve Lake Shkodra with 40 thousand visitors, the Dajti Mountain with 15 thousand visitors, the Qafë Shtama Nature Park with 13 thousand visitors, the Prespa National Park with 11 thousand visitors, the Vjosa River National Park with 10 thousand visitors.
National parks in Albania have become major attractions for domestic and foreign tourists, encouraging tourism year round. In addition to the coastal beauties, Albania offers a very good landscape and climate that gives visitors the opportunity to explore different countries.
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