TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ – Albania’s national parks and nature protected areas are seeing a growing number of visitors, who explore the stunning landscape and countless natural heritage sites throughout the country.
Three protected areas, namely the National Park of the Albanian Alps, Korab-Koritnik and the Natural Park of Munella, span a significant area of the territory.
The Director of the Administration of the Protected Areas in the north-eastern region of Kukës, Lefter Gjana, told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that “from January to October 2024, the protected areas recorded a total of 172,260 visitors, of whom 96,753 were locals and 75,507 foreign tourists.”
According to him, Albanian Alps park was visited by 131 325 tourists, 74 328 of whom local visitors and 56 997 foreigners.
“A total of 39 865 tourists visited Korab-Koritnik park during this period with 18 049 of them being foreign visitors, whereas Munella natural park recorded 1070 visitors, 4621 of them foreigners,” Gjana added.
Kukës region boasts a network of rich natural and cultural biodiversity. The protected areas are categorized as a strict natural reserve and UNESCO heritage, which includes the river Gashi (Tropojë) within the Albanian Alps National Park, where this park includes the valley of Valbona, the river Gashi, the river Tropoja as well as the mountains of Dobërdoli and Sulbica. This natural park covers a total area of 82,844.6 hectares, of which 39,010.3 ha are located in Kukës district. The natural park that includes the Korab-Koritnik mountain range has a total area of 53,850 ha, where 33,850 ha are located in the Kukës district and the Munelle Natural Park with a total area of 20,760.05 ha, where there are 2,996 ha in the Kukës district as well as 48 natural sites.
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