TIRANA, March 4 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Tuesday the southern Albanian city of Gjirokaster is on track for another record year in tourism, citing a surge in early-season visitors and growing international interest.
The government head took to the social media to post footage from the UNESCO-listed “stone city,” showing tourists arriving earlier than in previous years.
PM Rama voiced optimism that rising visitor numbers would translate into fresh records not only for tourism but also for the broader local economy, crediting the city’s hospitality and cultural heritage.
Known for its distinctive stone architecture, Gjirokaster draws visitors with its hilltop castle, traditional bazaar, museums and well-preserved historic houses.
Key attractions include the Cold War Museum, the Weapons Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Ismail Kadare House, dedicated to Albania’s internationally renowned writer Ismail Kadare. The sites serve both as tourist magnets and as showcases of the city’s historical legacy and prominent cultural figures.
Authorities say visitor numbers are also rising in surrounding villages and rural areas, where new accommodation units offering modern standards have opened in recent years. Many combine traditional architecture with local hospitality, catering to both domestic and foreign tourists.
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