“There is a very interesting and very inspiring reality in Theth. In such a remote area in Northern Albania, the average age of the people gathered in a meeting was under 30 years old. The majority of them were young people returning from abroad. Why? To get what they could from being involved in that hospitality sector that has opened there and that is successful”, said Rama during a meeting on professional education.

The prime minister emphasized that people who return have understood that if you have an opportunity to develop a property, they return no matter where their property is because Albania is amazing everywhere.

Therefore, the prime minister emphasized, we must combine their investments with the quality of the human resources you have available. /m.m/p.s./

Krifca highlighted the fact that 51% of agri-tourism farms are managed by young people under 45 years of age who generate ideas, work, hire and build success stories with dedication.

“Agri-tourism in Albania is today a reality of culinary craftsmanship, the promotion of agricultural identity, cultural heritage, the unique character of hospitality and the generosity of Albanian nature and a significantly improved capacity infrastructure that has brought development to deep rural areas, through the fascination of local and foreign visitors who have become regular visitors to these realities. 51% of agri-tourism farms are managed by young people under 45 years old who generate ideas, work, hire and build success stories with dedication”, she said.

The minister said that the Albanian government supports and promotes agri-tourism through a favorable fiscal package, financial support to revitalize and further develop the rural environment as an important asset of our economy and culture.

Across the country, there are over 250 agri-tourism units, guesthouses, eco-parks, and camping spots that offer unique experiences, quality service, quality accommodation and fresh cuisine./gj.m/p.s./

In cooperation with the German project for sustainable rural development implemented by GIZ-SRD, there have been undertaken several initiatives for the development of tourism products based on nature, so that to strengthen sustainable rural tourism in Albania.

Agri-tourism is today a new reality, but significant in the revitalization of rural areas offering typical Albanian cuisine, taste and nature tourism.

So far, Albania has been appreciated by local and foreign tourists for its landscape, nature, beautiful views, which are also considered as the strong points of touristic Albania.

The natural and rural areas offer opportunities for the development of rural tourism, mountain tourism, ecotourism, agri-tourism and outdoor activities (rafting, parachuting, mountain biking, trekking, mountain climbing, hiking), horse riding, tours study, etc.).

Some of these activities are the main reason for visits by foreign visitors to natural areas, agro-tourism spots, so the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in cooperation with relevant institutions is working hard for the development of nature tourism products, starting from the increasing demand for these activities by foreign tourists.

Agri-tourism in Albania is being promoted from year to year where the wonderful landscape, clean air, organic and traditional foods of the areas are just some of the opportunities offered in these facilities. /p.s./

The vice-Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana Ilir Kapaj said that, “Students who have an average mark of 8.5 and higher and who will choose to attend these study programs, will be exempted from the annual fee and will benefit from a scholarship in the value of minimum salary of 32 thousand lekë per month”.

In an interview with reporters, Kapaj emphasized that some of these branches have had a downward trend due to the low demand of students, but in the labour market the demand for specialists in these fields is still higher.

He said that employment is guaranteed for students who graduate from these study programs, but also for most of the programs that the Agriculture University of Tirana offers.

Some of the branches included in this government decision are: plant protection, horticulture, agro-mechanics, agronomy, agribusiness, agro-biology, agri-food, veterinary medicine, agronomic engineering, forestry engineering, wood processing engineering, viticulture, oenology, biotechnology, zoo-veterinary, marine biology and aqua-culture, animal husbandry and safety of livestock products./j.p/r.e/p.s./

Alfred Marku brought to his hometown the experience gained in Italy as a chef and with his unique recipes marked a real revolution in gastronomy.

Prime Minister Edi Rama posted today on social media photos from the premises of this agri-tourism which has received support through the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) programs.

“Having the government support through ARDA programs, this agri-tourism has been expanded with dairies in the village of Krajen, which serves as a collection point for fresh milk of the 300 local farmers in the area,” said Rama.

Support for agri-tourism and the “100 Villages” program have encouraged investors to set up accommodation facilities for visitors, who, along with nature, can now enjoy traditional food.

The rural development support program aims to identify the traditional local products of every area towards a consolidated local economy.

Thanks to the financial support, the small producers increase production capacity, meet standards and ensure quality and enable these products to be found everywhere. At the same time, the situation in the rural areas is improved through investment orientation in these areas./m.m/r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama posted on social networks photos from this agri-tourism point, where you can enjoy the good wine of the canteen and the beautiful nature.

“Max Mavrud” in Leskovik a destination where you can enjoy the good wine of the canteen and the beautiful nature of the highlands of southern Albania. A private enterprise started in 2010 and assisted by the government through ARDA programs, this winery produces one of the best Albanian wines, with 16 hectares of vineyards planted in a mountainous terrain, harmonized by a combination of Mavrud, Merlot grape varieties, Pinot Noir, White Debine, Black Debine and Pearl ”, said Rama.

The transformation of rural areas into attractive landscapes has encouraged the creation of agri-tourism as a new model of rural development in Albania.

The government program for agriculture focuses on developing the village and rural tourism through support mechanisms, to increase agri-tourism activities and guesthouses, which have become attractions of special interest to the many visitors and tourists who frequent them in every season of the year. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

The ministry said that a year ago the experts of agriculture and the German project GIZ initiated an in-depth study of the agro-tourism sector in Albania. The results of the study are reflected in the new strategy of “Rural Tourism”, which will be presented by the end of the current year.

According to agricultural experts, the focus of the research work has been: the potentials of the sector, what can be improved, whether in the legal framework, in the fiscal framework, or even in the better connection between agri-tourism points with small farmers and the local producer.

An important place in this strategy is occupied by the diversification of the tourist offer, how actors of the sector can cooperate better among themselves, for a more qualified workforce, problems that rural tourism faces today, and how can young people and women be more engaged in agri-tourism.

Today, thanks to government support policies, agri-tourism is a growing trend. During the years 2016-2017, only a few points of agri-tourism farms were counted, while today this sector is spread throughout the territory with over 200 agri-tourism points from the north to the south of the country.

In 2018, the government initiated support with fiscal incentives in support of this sector and then year after year addressed grant financial support through IPARD and the National Scheme, which is reflected in the growing interest of farmers and business in the agro-tourism sector. /j.p/p.s./

The government program for agriculture over the next 4 years focuses on development of the village and rural tourism through support mechanisms, the increase of agri-tourism activities and inns which have become attractions of special interest to the many visitors and tourists who frequent them in every season of the year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to ultimately support programs with funding from the state budget and donors of authentic menus that reveal the area and add value to the stay of visitors.

Through this program, the aim is to inherit the typical products of geographical areas to the younger generations, through the creation of positive experiences that are known by all.

Therefore, the incentive will be real through support policies with grants and subsidies dedicated to emigrants, young people and women who want to live and work in the village./p.s./