TIRANA, January 17/ATA/ There has been a growing number of tourists to the protected areas in the country due to their natural beauty and diverse relief.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro said today that, “5.5 million visitors had a taste of our natural and national parks during 2024 or 1 million more than in 2023. This implies an extraordinary interest in ecotourism, nature sports such as hiking, rafting or mountain climbing, but also the curiosity to learn about biodiversity”.
Minister Kumbaro expressed her gratitude for the passionate staff of protected areas in the 12 regions of the country who, with dedication and passion, administer our natural jewels and are the best guides for tourists.
The figures provided by Kumbaro show that in the period January-December 2023, there were 4.5 million visitors to the protected areas, while in January-December 2024 there were 5.5 million visitors, i.e. 22% more visitors. Of these 5.5 million visitors, 3.6 million were domestic visitors and 1.9 million were foreign visitors.
The regions with the highest increase in visitors are Shkodra region with 1.3 million visitors, Durrës region with 384 thousand visitors, Elbasan region with 192 thousand visitors, Korça region with 1 million visitors, Berat region with 380 thousand visitors and Gjirokastra region with 135 thousand visitors.
The budget of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment for 2025 has natural tourism and protected areas in focus. The ministry has two main projects to support such as the establishment of infrastructure in Ulza Eco-Park and the Construction of the Multifunctional Center of the Vjosa National Park.
The protected areas in Albania are considered an effective opportunity for the development of sustainable tourism. Therefore, hard work is being done to promote these protected areas for the extraordinary biodiversity values they carry, but also as important tourist destinations at the national level and beyond. /j.p/p.s./
