Prime Minister Edi Rama added that the fact that the country was visited by 547,000 foreign tourists in November shows that Albania is being regarded as a major destination for year-round and sustainable tourism.

“The November numbers take us to new records and hospitality expectations with the 9.54 million foreign visitors welcomed this year. 547 thousand foreign tourists who came to Albania during November are proof that the country is being visited in every season of the year and in every corner of the territory, emerging as a super destination of year-round and sustainable tourism,” said Rama.
/sm/

The mayor of Gjirokastra, Flamur Golemi, in an interview for ATA, described this year’s summer season as the most successful in terms of visits and tourism development in the stone city.

“There are over 200,000 local and foreign tourists who have visited Gjirokastra and its surroundings this year, hitting an all -time high. So, this summer season is highlighting Gjirokastra as one of the most sought-after and main destinations for tourism, not only at the national level, but also beyond,” Golemi said.

Golemi said that the city, also part of the World Cultural Heritage List under the protection of UNESCO is a well-known brand in international tourism, drawing locals and visitors from all over the world.

According to him, thanks to its values as UNESCO world heritage site, natural resources, cultural monuments, rich traditions, Gjirokastra is more and more preferred by tourists from all over the world.

“Foreigners account for over 80% of this year’s visitors to Gjirokastra, while the map of where they come from is quite diverse. The stone city is welcoming visitors from Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, the Scandinavian countries, from Western and Eastern Europe, but there are also tourists from the USA, Brazil, Argentina, China, Australia, etc. So now Gjirokastra is a well-known brand and a world-class destination in terms of visits by foreign tourists.”

Mayor Golemi announced that based on official statistics, there is a 35-40% increase in tourist visits during the summer season compared to previous years.

“Beyond the statistics, the growth of tourism in Gjirokastër is an irreversible trend, while its usefulness is witnessed daily by the residents, not only in the revitalization of the city, its transformation into an elite destination, but also in the increase of income. There are about 250 tourism-oriented business activities in the territory of the municipality, which, among other things, have created new jobs. Tourism has spurred the development of local economy sectors centered on tradition, handicrafts, agritourism, etc.,” Golemi emphasized.

As for the main tourist spots in Gjirokastra, which attract more visitors, Golemi said that “the sightseeing guide is quite diverse, including the stone town of Gjirokastra, but also its surroundings and villages.”
/sm/