TIRANA, July 15
E-tourism in the cross-border region Albania-Greece was the main topic of the final conference of the EU-funded project “Network Creation and Promotion of Castles – NetCastle” held in Tirana on Thursday.
NetCastle project, co-financed from IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme “Greece – Albania 2007-2013”, aims at enhancing the cultural heritage in the cross-border region to boost the tourism industry with the use of new technologies and e-tourism.
“In terms of what is required by the accession agenda, Albania is expected to progress further in tourism and culture sectors,” Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Albania Entela Sulka said.
She also highlighted that tourism businesses face difficulties related to informality, the need for improved infrastructure, including waste management and access to energy, and property issues.
Meanwhile, the key challenges regarding the cultural sector in Albania are related to the lack of financial and human resources, institutional capacities and public awareness on the role of cultural heritage.
“On the positive side, we observe an increasingly positive trend in Albania towards a reconciliation of historical heritage and economic liberalization,” Sulka added.
Considering that the cultural heritage is of exceptional importance, the EU provided over Euro 10 million during the period 2006-2013 for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage in Tirana, Shkodra, Himara, Kruja, Berat, Korca and Elbasan, and a new project for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Apollonia Park started at the beginning of January 2016.
News Source/ Photo Credit: EU Delegation in Albania
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