Public and private sector tourism stakeholders gathered in Gjirokastra to take a concrete step for the establishment of the tourism information portal for the Gjirokastra Region. For the first time in Albania, representatives of local government, tour operators, businesses operating in the tourism sector, experts and representatives of the University of Gjirokastra selected the Management Board that will oversee the set up and operations of the tourism portal for the Gjirokastra qark. The Board includes representatives from the following clusters:

  • Accommodation businesses
  • Gastronomy and crafts
  • Tour Operators and Tour Guides
  • Rural tourism businesses
  • Academia
  • Municipality
  • Digital marketing

“We embraced this initiative, planning it already in our 2019 budget as we believe the portal is crucial for Gjirokastra’s promotion”-stressed Zamira Rami, the Mayor of Gjirokastra.

With support from the Swiss-funded project RisiAlbania, the tourism portal for the Gjirokastra Region will result from a sustainable partnership between all actors, and will constitute the mechanism responsible for promoting Gjirokastra as a tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

“Managing the portal is the most important part of this initiative, aiming at bringing more tourists in Gjirokastra, more income for local businesses and welfare for its inhabitants”, highlighted Edlira Muedini, the RisiAlbania Project Manager.

With the creation of the Management Board, Gjirokastra has taken the first step towards establishing a Portal that will attract tourists to the region and stimulate business growth.