TIRANË, March 22 /ATA/ – Albania’s southern coastal town of Himarë is seeing a steady rise in visitor numbers even during winter months, but its full potential lies in developing year-round tourism, Mayor Vangjel Tavo said in an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA).
Tavo noted that beyond its summer appeal, Himarë and its surrounding villages offer significant opportunities for off-season tourism, driven by mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, guesthouses and nature trails.
Efforts are underway to improve infrastructure, particularly road connectivity between inland villages and main transport axes. Investments are also being made in water supply, sewage systems and public lighting to enhance services for both residents and visitors.
“Our objective is clear: to connect the entire territory of Himarë and create equal development conditions between coastal and inland areas,” Tavo said.
He added that support for rural development and agriculture-especially livestock and agro-processing-will help strengthen the link between tourism and local production, contributing to a more sustainable, year-round economy.
However, Tavo stressed that improving service quality remains a central challenge.
“Attracting tourists is one thing; retaining them and turning them into repeat visitors is the real test,” he said, pointing to shared responsibilities between local government, central authorities and businesses. While infrastructure and public services fall under institutions, pricing policies and service standards depend largely on private operators.
The municipality has also conducted a more in-depth review of the previous tourist season, focusing on identifying structural issues rather than simply assessing performance.
Himarë, one of Albania’s key tourism brands, must strengthen its reputation by ensuring a fair balance between price and quality, Tavo said.
On access to public beaches, he highlighted improvements in recent years, including the creation of public spaces – an initiative set to continue and expand. Increased monitoring is planned this summer following cases of misuse last year.
Waste management remains another major challenge, particularly during peak season when volumes rise sharply. Authorities have introduced measures including wastewater treatment, controlled landfill disposal and more frequent waste collection.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to pollution,” Tavo said, noting that surveillance systems and fines are being used to deter offenders.
With its combination of coastline and mountains, Himarë offers a diverse tourism experience, including beaches along the Ionian coast, natural caves and canyons, historic castles and cultural sites-all within close proximity, making the area suitable for year-round exploration.
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