Lessons from mass tourism/ How to avoid overcrowding and what needs to be changed

This year, Albania had the best tourist season in its history. according to the data published by INSTAT, in the 8th month of 2023, 7.2 million foreign citizens entered the territory of Albania, 26.9% more compared to the same period a year ago.

But what is the other side of the coin, what causes this tourist boom?

"It has its own risks because such a large flow of people was witnessed throughout July and August that is difficult to cope with from the capacities we offer in any direction. On the other hand, what we risk in the long term is the destruction of the destination. If we are going to see endless piles of tourists in Shkodra Castle, Berat Castle, Apollonia Archaeological Park, which all have a museum, and getting 50 tourists into the Onufri Iconographic Museum is impossible. In a 5-year period, it can destroy the entire composition of this museum that they have come to see. The other danger that comes back is massive pollution because unfortunately we still don't have the education to keep public spaces clean and each one of us sees this with a blank eye", explains the tourism expert, Flora Xhemani.

In terms of public infrastructure in general, public services, public transport, companies can be added that provide public transport during the summer season with additional vehicles, in Vlora, Saranda, Durrës that need transport every 5 minutes and this is a need immediately that I should not find the 2024 season with the same problems as we had this year.

The growth of tourism is a dangerous trap for small countries like Albania, which has always been waiting for this tourist boom. But the lure of this phenomenon can bring with it irreparable negative consequences. The question that follows after this reality we faced is; Does our country need mass tourism, or quality tourism?