Tourism in Albania
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/91.187.98.251|91.187.98.251]] to last version by 71.184.182.243 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
[[Image:Berat.jpg|right|thumb|[[Berat]], the Town of a Thousand Windows.]]
[[Image:Gjirokastra.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gjirokastër]], the Town of a Thousand Steps.]]
[[Image:Saranda new!.JPG|right|thumb|[[Saranda]], the Honeymooners' City.]]
[[Image:Kruja utsikt.jpg|thumb|[[Krujë]], the Balcony over the Adriatic Sea.]]
'''Tourism in [[Albania]]''' is still in its infancy because the former [[communist]] [[Party of Labour of Albania|regime]] did not allow [[tourism]] to become established. Groups of Western tourists were first permitted to visit in the 1980s. It is a country of natural beauty which includes sandy white [[Mediterranean]] beaches, rocky [[List of Albanian mountains|mountains]], fertile plains, lakes, natural monuments, and remote areas. The country receives approximately 400.000 visitors per year and it is growing by 15% every year.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
==Visitor attractions==
Albania has an old [[History of Albania|history]] dating to the [[Ancient Illyria|Illyrian]] and [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] civilizations and there are ruins and other treasures reflecting these ancient civilizations.
Some of the most visited cities include:
* [[Durrës]], the old port city of ''Dyrrhachium''
* [[Krujë]], the balcony over the Adriatic sea
* [[Tirana]], the capital
* [[Vlorë]], beach city of Vlora
* [[Lezha]], the diplomatic capital of Albania
* [[Pogradec]], the poet's city
* [[Sarande]], the honeymooners' city
==UNESCO World Heritage Sites==
Albania is home to two World Heritage Sites:
*[[Butrint]], an ancient city
*[[Gjirokastër]], a well-preserved Illyrian town
==Issues affecting tourism==
Some of the problems holding back foreign tourism stem from political instability. [[Pollution]] from illegal construction is ruining some popular areas. Its proximity to [[Kosovo]] on the northeast border means that [[unexploded ordnance]] may be hazard for unguided tours into the countryside of that border region. At present the security situation in Albania is thought to be improving.
Poor [[infrastructure]] greatly limits tourism. Electrical [[power outage]]s are still fairly frequent. Independent bus and minibus (furgon) operators provide inexpensive transport between most large communities, but schedules and prices are not fixed. Train service is also limited and sporadic.
Despite the above problems, Albania is making progress. Foreign tourists are not uncommon. International hotel chains are established in Tirana and organised day trips are available from [[Corfu]] to [[Sarandë]] and nearby [[Butrint]]. [[Club Med]] has proposed a development between [[Vlorë]] and Sarandë.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
South of [[Durrës]], there is a long, uncoordinated beach development popular with Albanians. There are other, off-the-track beach areas, locally popular, with acceptable food and toilet facilities. There are several five star hotels along the beaches of Albania.
==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
Image:Ohridsoeen.jpg| [[Lake Ohrid]] seen from Albania
Image:Butrint, Albania.jpg| [[Butrint]]
Image:Lake Prespa.jpg|Lake Prespa seen from [[Liqenas]], Albania
Image:Apollonia odeon.jpg|[[Apollonia]], Albania.
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Tirana05.jpg| [[Tirana]], Albania. -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Albanianbeach.jpg | One of the many fine beaches in Albania. -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Best view of Tirana.jpg|Best view of [[Tirana]], Albania. -->
Image:Butrint.jpg|Remains of a chapel in [[Butrint]], Albania.
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:1505480436 2156d8d6da b.jpg|Hotel Adriatik [[Durrës]], Albania. {{puic|1=|log=2008 March 1}} -->
Image:South_albania_fish.jpg|Fishing in Albania.
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:1504823948 9d1d4dae9f b.jpg| [[Tirana]], Albania. {{puic|1=|log=2008 March 1}} -->
Image:Ali_pasha_castle.jpg|Ali Pasha's Castle, Albania.
Image:Albania_blue_eye.jpg|Azure Eye, one of the many fresh water springs in [[Sarandë]], Albania, (known as the wedding city).
Image:Albania_petrela_castle.jpg|[[Petrela]] Castle, [[Tirana]], Albania.
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:481221224 3f27cb6149 b.jpg| | [[Durrës]], Albania. {{puic|1=|log=2008 March 1}} -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:1505152647 e2e0c821d0 b.jpg| The fourteenth century Church of the Holy Trinity, Albania. {{puic|1=|log=2008 March 1}} -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:IMG 7148.jpg | The theater at Butrint. -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:1429967390 9c4765d94e o.jpg| | Thethi, Albania. {{puic|1=|log=2008 March 1}} -->
Image:Shpiragu mountain, Berat..JPG | The Mountain of Shpiragu in [[Berat]] area. 130 km south of [[Tirana]], Albania.
Image:Morning near Tepelena.JPG | Morning sun near Tepelena. South Albania.
Image:Mallakastra Mountains.JPG | It is often described as a rude territory, but the Mallakastra Mountains inhabitants are famous for their hospitality.
Image:Durres beach..JPG | [[Durrës]] seaside. 40 km from the capital [[Tirana]].
Image:Dhermi beach..JPG | Dhermi beach. Between [[Vlora]] and [[Saranda]].
Image:Jala.jpg |Sunset in Jala beach.
Image:Coastline in Albania.jpg | Coastline in southern Albania.
</gallery></center>
==See also==
* [[Geography of Albania]]
* [[List of cities in Albania]]
==External links==
{{commons|Tourism in Albania|Tourism in Albania}}
* [http://albania.albca.com Albania Presentation by albca.com]
* [http://www.albca.com/aclis Albanian Canadian League Information Service(ACLIS) (official site)]
* [http://www.albaniantourism.com Ministry of Territorial Planning and Tourism (official site)]
* {{wikitravel|Albania}}
* [http://www.inyourpocket.com/albania/en/ Albania In Your Pocket city guides]
* [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/albania/ Albania] at [[Lonely Planet]]
* [http://english.albtourist.net/ Tours, Hotel and Pictures - Albtourist.net(non-commercial)]
{{Tourism in Europe}}
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