Albania

Introduction

Since the end of the East-West cold war,
Albania has made significant strides in establishing
the foundations of democratic institutions
and a market economy, including its 1998
Constitution. In 2000, Albania became a member
of the World Trade Organisation, which illustrates
its determination to build an open and integrated
economy.
And yet it remains Europe's last "unknown"
country - in part, because it is not an easy tourism
destination for international markets to understand.
But the fact that the country maintains a
cultural "authenticity" with its wide range of
historic and natural attractions could hold great
allure for the outside world. With this in view,
Albania has turned its focus to tourism development.
In the process, the quality of life of a significant
number of Albanians could be improved -
in tune with the country's commitment to the
Millennium Development Goals.
UNDP Albania is working closely with the
Government of Albania, in particular with the
Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports
and the National Tourism Organization to implement
the country's eco and cultural tourism strategy

UNDP is assisting the Government to create
the right circumstances for tourism-driven development,
as well as providing assistance to local
tourism development.
Culture and environment can indeed be important
parts of the tourism industry, and a boon to
rural communities. IPS examines this approach -
and to what extent it finds success -- using Albania
as a case study in a globalised world with funds
from UNDP Albania.
This publication compiles all articles that have
been written by independent journalists from the
IPS European network and disseminated through
IPS website, in special publications, newsletters and
by way of translations among others into Dutch,
German and Spanish. The articles in English are
available in internet at a special website:
www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/tourism/index.asp
In the six months since the special website went
online, thousands of people from around the
world have visited it. Nearly one quarter of a million
page views underline the great interest IPS
has created in Albania's cultural and environmental
tourism efforts.