Albanian Tourism Association will launch Albania’s first quality rating system for tourism accommodation businesses

USAID, in partnership with Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, invited international tourism experts from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the National Geographic Society and Expedia to meet with Albania’s leading tourism businesses to discuss  ways to adopt a more sustainable approach to business growth and increase access to markets. The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) are a set of 37 voluntary standards representing the minimum that any tourism business should aspire to reach, in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation. Unlike other countries in the region, Albania lacks a rating system that many travelers rely on to plan accommodations and travel itineraries.

Albanian tourism has grown at a significant pace over the last few years, contributing over US$ 2.4 billion in 2009 to the Albanian economy, with expectations to grow by 4% in 2011 -- based on statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council. Over 200,000 Albanians are involved in tourism businesses and this number is expected to grow in 2010-11, despite the effects of the global crisis on the travel and tourism industry. “Tourism in Albania is at a critical juncture,” said USAID’s Mission Director Joseph C. Williams in remarks at the USAID-sponsored workshop on sustainable tourism.  “Choices being made today are important to both capitalize on and protect Albania’s rich natural, cultural, and historical resources.  The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and Authentic Albania Quality Mark program are good ways to ensure that tourism in Albania is sustainable and based on international trends and best practices.”

In the coming months, USAID and the Albanian Tourism Association will launch Albania’s first quality rating system for tourism accommodation businesses.  Hotels and accommodations will be evaluated based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and then be awarded a gold, silver, or bronze classification that will be published on travel sites and in brochures and publications for foreign tourists. “The Authentic Albania Quality Mark will become an important marketing tool for new and expanding businesses in the tourism sector as a mark of quality and customer service,” said Matilda Naco, Executive Director of the Albanian Tourism Association.  “And while it directly benefits businesses, it will also serve as a guide for visitors to have the best possible experience in Albania.”

News source: Balkans.com link: article

The "Great Outdoors" attracts many to Albania

International tourists are noticing Albania more and more, attracted to its unspoiled Mediterranean coastline and the quality-for-price value that it offers.

Tourism-oriented growth and development, often rampant and unchecked, is most visible in the capital city of Tirana and along the coast. Roads are widening into protected areas and high-rise hotels obstruct previously natural landscapes. Such unregulated growth threatens the same natural and cultural endowments upon which the tourism industry depends.

Development organizations such as the UNDP and USAID recognize the need to implement a more sustainable tourism strategy that conserve Albania’s natural environment and cultural heritage while increasing quality of life for local people. Tour operators such as Outdoor Albania brand themselves by their commitment to these principles. In some of the more isolated regions of the country, such as the alpine north, communities and small businesses are working together to harness tourism as a means of much-needed sustainable development for the area.

Outdoor Albania offers culture and adventure trips to bridge the gap carefully between tourism development and this geographically remote mountainous area. Its destinations are tiny rural villages such as Vermosh, Valbona, and Theth. Its goal is to develop trips and itineraries that will bring economic benefits to local people and keep Albania’s environment pristine for future recreation and enjoyment.

Both fixed and tailor-made tours to the Albanian Alps are available. One of the most popular tours is the 5-day mountain trek and village guesthouse tour. The highlights of the itinerary include transport to the valley of Valbona via local ferry on lake Koman through the Drin canyon, and guided trekking along a mountain pass between the valley of Valbona to the village of Theth accompanied by luggage-bearing mountain horses.

The cultural aspect of the tours is accommodation with local families who offer their homes as guesthouses to travelers. Hospitality has been a pillar of northern Albanian culture for centuries, as the oral tradition of the area mandates the welcoming of strangers into one’s home. By lodging with local families, tourists get a taste of authentic local dishes that the families prepare. They also get a glimpse of the mountain life and agricultural livelihoods that Albanian northerners have been practicing for generations. The tall stone and wood-shingle architecture of the village guesthouses is traditional, characteristic of the northern region, and highly photogenic.

As the northern Alpine region emerges in the guidebooks and on the maps for culture- and adventure-seeking tourists, demand for infrastructure and services such as transportation is increasing in the area. Outdoor Albania recognises the need to meet this demand in a way that will benefit the local people of the area and preserve the environment for future generations. Rather than encouraging hasty construction in the area, OA utilizes the local guesthouse accommodations that are already available and eager for tourists. OA also utilizes local transportation and trekking that respect the natural environment rather than threaten it. In these rural northern villages, the doors are open to the Outdoor Albania brand of tourism

News source: Outdoor Albania article provided by: Pellumb Qosej

UK and Germany buyers interested in FYR Macedonia's apparel producers

During this year’s Apparel Buyers Week, October 4t–8t, more than 20 FYR Macedonian apparel companies met to discuss possible export deals with six buyers from the United Kingdom and Germany. They are interested in extending their supplier base to include FYR Macedonian apparel producers. This second FYR Macedonia – E.U. Apparel Buyers Week was organized by the USAID FYR Macedonia Competiveness Project (MCP) as well as the Dutch Center for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPPO) and the FYR Macedonia Textile Trade Association.

“USAID is helping FYR Macedonia become more competitive in the global economy,” said Joseph Lessard, USAID Economic Growth Director. “Through the Competitiveness  Project, we support initiatives such as this Apparel Buyers Week, assisting FYR Macedonia’s apparel companies to access new and higher value export markets in the E.U.”

This week’s meetings are a follow-up to the Business to Business (B2B) event held last March which resulted in new product sampling and orders. One U.K. buyer that participated has already placed repeat orders while two others are involved in prototyping and sampling for potential orders. Several other U.K. buyers that have become interested in FYR Macedonia after the B2B have also begun sampling. “The FYR Macedonian apparel industry needs to identify new markets and customers. This Buyers Week brings a new variety of potential buyers from the E.U. After the success of the previous B2B event in March, we expect more orders to take place” said Natasha Sivevska, Executive Director of the Textile Trade Association.

News source: Balkans.com link: article

Albania initiates telemedicine project

Albania is working to establish its first National Telemedicine Centre through an USAID-funded project implemented by the International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation.
The programme, which was first established in Kosovo in 2002, is part of a telemedicine network being built in the Balkans. According to USAID, it is "based on the successful model of the Kosovo Telemedicine Programme".
The project is headed by Dr Rifat Latifi, professor of surgery at the University of Arizona and founder of the International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation.

News source: SETimes link: article