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Accident on the Levan-Vlora axis, traffic congestion worsens

A road accident was recorded on Saturday morning on the Le...

Kërcimi i çmimeve lëkund turizmin

2024-07-28 09:22:00, Aktualitet CNA

The momentum of tourism, started since the beginning of this year, with a significant increase in the number of foreign arrivals in the country, seems to have somewhat slowed down in June.

In the official statistics, no such concern was seen, as it was reported that 4.5 million foreign citizens entered Albania in 6 months, with a 34% increase compared to the 6 months of the previous year.

All of a sudden, empty beaches started to circulate on the network (something that has happened every year in some cases without any basis), then complaints of high prices started on special sites and tourism blogs, and finally the thesis was thrown that we they sabotaged the neighbors to take our success.

The concern became real when the tour operators themselves began to admit that until May, everything was fine, but June and the beginning of July were not as expected. There were fewer bookings and because of this the prices were raised.

For there to be an increase in them, in the conditions of increased demand, this was something to be expected, but the virus of maximum benefit from the moment seems to have engulfed the entire South of the country, taking with it even that group that had shown prudence.

The fragile touristic image of free Albania, with stunning beaches like in the Maldives, was severely shaken, something that raised the alarm even in the government that earlier did not accept that the momentum of tourism was being exceeded by the momentum of prices, seriously endangering the season.

Prime Minister Edi Rama would call this a suicidal strategy and demanded that businesses reflect.

"The government and municipalities do not set the prices, this is very clear, this is the system we have chosen and we cannot set the prices of hotels or restaurants, nor can we control or impose them.

But, in Vlora, Ermal, in Sarandë Olti (he addresses the mayors), where there are two points of an absurd increase in prices, it is very important to talk to the hotel operators.

It is very important to speak and tell them that this is not only unfair, that maybe under the conditions of capitalism those who want to win do not perceive the word unfair, but this is strategically suicide for them, it is a suicidal strategy ", the Prime Minister would say.

Kërcimi i çmimeve lëkund turizmin

What happened to prices, rising from 20% to doubling

The year 2023 closed with a historic visitor record for the country and a number of foreigners who entered our country of 10.5 million.

With a steady growth year after year, Albania became a trend this year too, bent on cheap prices, culinary and authentic, becoming a favorite of bloggers and adventure travelers, but also cultural tours.

The increase in demand on the one hand, but also the investments of structures before the season and the increase in costs gave an impact, prompting a preliminary increase in prices made in May, at the level of 20%.

The increased flows created the belief, especially for Ksamil, which was again the epicenter of the promotion, that tourists were willing to pay any kind of price to visit it.

Good structures increased prices to levels of up to 50%, while average ones almost doubled. Saranda and Vlora followed the same example, but here the increase was limited to 20% and 30%, respectively, and not in all hotels.

A situation like this seems not to be easily understood by "budget" travelers (who don't want to spend too much) visiting our country.

"The great demand brought about an increase in prices, something that in the first phase, before the season had fully started, was "good", because the market works according to supply and demand.

What happened next is that the typology of the tourist changed, and from the middle and third ages that defined the destination, came the young, which brought another trend: rapid profit in accommodation, but rapid decline in revenue generation in services such as restaurants, fast-food, various tourist services", says Arben Çipa from the Association of Hoteliers in Saranda.

For the head of the Albanian Tourist Union, Rrahman Kasa, the increase was not only in one point, but on the entire coast, where more and where less, but more pronounced in the South.

"The increase in prices from the good structures has increased the demand for the more average or modest ones and the latter have again applied an increase that can be seen as abusive for the consumer.

Today we are faced with the fact that every structure, even guest houses in villages such as Dhërmiu, Qeparoi, Borshi or even the city of Himara have increased prices. Saranda has a lower growth margin, with 20%", he asserts.

Journalist Enrik Mehmeti estimates that the increase has been in sporadic cases, but the negative effect of creating a perception that everywhere is expensive has harmed everyone.

"In many of the beaches you've seen empty on social media, there has been exaggerated price increases and alerts made via apps by tourists who may have visited or inquired have caused this effect.

Standing empty, these businesses have now reflected by lowering prices, but the damage is done. This situation has created such a disparity, overcrowded beaches and empty beaches", he says.

Fewer locals and Kosovar Albanians on the coast, due to prices

The glut that was created with the increase in prices seems to have forced a good part of the locals and Kosovar Albanians to rest on the Albanian coast.

Agencies report record levels of bookings outside Albania, mainly in Greece and Turkey, as Kosovo is enjoying its first year of freedom in the Schengen area, but prices also play their role in this.

"The hotels that are out of warranty have had problems in June, but also in July, to fill their capacity. This category of structures was mainly influenced by Kosovo Albanians as they were the ones who stayed in small hotels without breakfast or apartments.

This clientele is almost absent in these structures this year," affirms Mr. Cash register. Kosovo Albanians seem to be looking at the economic holiday offers, with Greece and Montenegro appearing to be at the top.

"I am constantly in communication with the main operators who moved the part of Kosovo towards our coast and they normally report that the liberalization of visas has influenced the decision-making. Now the Albanians of Kosovo have more choices and flee to new destinations.

We expected this to come as a trend with liberalization. But I must underline that the offers made by neighboring countries such as Greece, in some regions such as Haldikidi, or Ulcinj in Montenegro, have been very good.

For Saranda and Vlora, I see that there is little interest also as a result of the somewhat different price for Shengjin", says Arben Çipa from "Sipa Tours".

Kërcimi i çmimeve lëkund turizmin

Hotels after the drop in visitors, reduce prices, tour operators: Let's reflect

Hotels on the coast seem to have reflected immediately after curbing the number of visitors as an effect of prices. In Saranda, the price reduction started on the eve of the second 15th day of July. Rrahman Kasa says that the immediate reaction with price reductions is what can somehow save the season.

"Lower the prices. Saranda has already started to do this according to conversations with hoteliers there. I think that a considerable damage to the image for this season was done. I was in Italy and met some citizens who were in Albania last year.

Their impressions were good except for the traffic and the density of tents. This year they said that we will not come to Albania, that we have asked and the prices are higher and with the same prices we do not have to cross the sea, we stay here", he says.

Vlora, on the other hand, seems to be trying to maintain the balance with economic areas for those who don't want to spend and more elite areas for tourists who want better services. According to him, the important thing is that everyone can find themselves.

"Vlora enters the medium and low areas in terms of prices. In some sporadic cases, there was an increase in them in Vlora, but as I said above, those who raised them suffered.

Average prices, but also some that are classified as high, can be found in the Radhima area where some beaches and restaurants have increased by almost 30% and were empty in June and mid-July.

The city within and Zvrneci is at the same levels as last year. This has led to a significant increase in these two areas", says Mr. Mehmet.

For Arben Chipa, there is still a good part of the pre-season where the business can be more prudent and improve the created situation.

"We still have the "lion's share" for summer and we have time to react from today to tomorrow, without being selfish, to write towards logical prices that justify what we offer and what the tourist gets.

This reflection must come from the market, that is, all of us as an industry to immediately correct what harms us and not as individuals", underlines Mr. Çipa./ Monitor.al