TIRANA, Oct. 11 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama has highlighted the tourism potential of the northern Albanian region of Malësi e Madhe, and Përmet, southern Albania, featuring two entrepreneurs who returned from abroad to invest in the country during an episode of his “Let’s Talk” podcast on Sunday.
Rama said the two areas were emerging as tourism destinations, driven by entrepreneurship and investment beyond the image of Albania often portrayed on social media and television.
One guest, Kanton Gashi, returned from the United States after 32 years and opened “Liqeni Camping and Agrotourism” in his native village of Gashaj, in Malësi e Madhe. The restaurant and campsite attract foreign visitors, including Germans, Dutch and French tourists, even during winter. Gashi said his return was motivated by his attachment to his homeland and his ambition to build his own business, which also supports local producers.
Another guest, Ergi, returned from London in 2017 and invested in hospitality in Tirana. His business now offers seven rooms, with bookings available through Booking.com, and he plans to develop a hotel combining accommodation and agrotourism in Përmet.
“I had offers to move abroad, but I decided to stay with my business in Tirana. I find greater motivation in working for myself,” he said.
Rama also outlined the government’s “Double Your Business” programme, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors including agrotourism, livestock, agro-processing and technology. The scheme offers loans at interest rates of up to 2%, with the state guaranteeing 70% of the loan, repayment terms of up to 10 years and financing of up to €2 million, depending on the business plan and collateral.
Rama said agrotourism remained a priority sector for government support, particularly in areas with strong tourism potential.
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