Pogradec opens the tourist season/ Projects that encourage visitors and free sailing with Struga

2026-06-06 17:27:00, Qyteti im CNA

Pogradec has officially opened the summer tourist season with numerous cultural, artistic and promotional activities, bringing together representatives of local government, central institutions, tourism operators and visitors from the country and the region.

The ceremony organized in the lakeside city was attended by the Mayor of Pogradec, Ilir Xhakoli, the Mayor of Struga, Mendi Qyra, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja.

Pogradec opens the tourist season/ Projects that encourage visitors and free

The Council praised the cooperation between the two cities that share Lake Ohrid and stressed the importance of facilitating cross-border movement.

"It is a pleasure to be here with the Mayor of Pogradec. Of course, I congratulate you and wish that this year will be a good year in tourism and I hope that our cooperation will bear more fruit. We have discussed a joint waterway, but also the facilitation of border procedures, as delays hinder movement between Pogradec and Struga. We will continue talks with the relevant authorities to resolve this problem. We are very close, but we often seem to be far away. If we work together, we will get even closer," said Qyra.

The mayor of Pogradec, Ilir Xhakolli, also expressed optimism about the tourist season, highlighting the investments made and the projects that aim to make the city more attractive to visitors.

Pogradec opens the tourist season/ Projects that encourage visitors and free

"We are ready for even better tourism than in previous years. For several months we have been working to prepare for the season, while the activities of this day last until midnight. A common objective with Struga remains free navigation on the lake and I believe we are close to achieving it. Also, today we saw a hydroplane demonstration, a project that can serve as a new tourist attraction and positively affect the economic development of the city", - emphasized Xhakoli.

Minister Gonxhja said that Pogradec has great tourism potential, but still needs more investment and coordination between institutions and market actors.

"Pogradec needs more support and investment. There are projects that are nearing completion and others that will start. Part of the challenges are also related to the status of the UNESCO-protected area, which requires special care in any intervention. The city's potential is much greater than the benefits currently generated by tourism and for this reason we must work for a sustainable and well-planned development", said the minister.

Pogradec opens the tourist season/ Projects that encourage visitors and free

Part of the season opening activities was the promotion of local cuisine. Students from the “Enver Qiraxhi” vocational school presented traditional and modern dishes, prepared as part of their professional training.

"Students of the Hotel and Tourism branch have presented traditional Pogradec dishes, but also elements of modern cuisine. This is done to promote local cuisine and to increase the quality of tourist services. The demands for employment of our students are very high, even greater than the possibilities we currently have to fulfill them", said Manushaqe Malçellari.

Local businesses also participated in the culinary stands, which presented typical products of the area, with a special focus on the lake korani.

Pogradec opens the tourist season/ Projects that encourage visitors and free

"We have brought several different dishes such as Korani tartar, Korani fillet and sushi with Korani. We are trying to combine tradition with modernity. Visitors like both and the number of tourists, especially foreigners, is increasing from year to year. Korani remains the main symbol of Pogradec cuisine and I believe it will continue to be in the future," said Kliton Rika from the restaurant "The Change".

With new infrastructure projects, ideas for stronger connections with Struga and efforts to diversify its tourism offer, Pogradec aims to attract more visitors during this season, transforming its natural, cultural and culinary potential into a stronger engine of economic development./CNA