TIRANA, August 8
Shengjin is the nearest coast for Kosovans because from Prizren to the shores of Rana e Hedhun, it takes only two hours by driving. This advantage turned the northern town of Lezha county into the favored coast of Kosovans, which before was mainly frequented by the local inhabitants. The increasing demand for vacations urged the construction of hotels after the year 2010.
In Shengjin, several resorts offer all-inclusive packages, that could accommodate more than 1700 customers per night. But, the improvement of the road last year, from Rana e Hedhun to the Kune-Vain Lagoon has started a new wave of constructions, without any standard for sustainable development. The highest offer for accommodation, for the same flux of vacationers, has brought a reduction of prices, varying from 30-50%. Because of this, it seems that Shengjin has lost the beauty of a quiet and quality beach, decreasing the number of beachgoers this summer season.
The reservations from the Czech and Polish tourists have dropped significantly this summer, as well from the Kosovans, who preferred the more quiet beaches. The hotels have reduced the prices in rapport with the same period of last year, to withdraw more vacationers, however, the sunbeds were half empty this year. The managers of the main hotels confirmed that the rooms closest to the beach were leased with a price of €50/night, compared to €80-100/night that was two or three years ago. According to them, the demand for new buildings has doubled, thus bringing a reduction of prices even for more reputable hotels.
Non-stop constructions are risking the sustainable development in the area
A while ago, the minister of Tourism, Blendi Klosi confirmed for the media, that the sustainable development of tourism is being threatened by the over-construction. He said, that only this year there were registered more than 250 new hotels in Shengjin and Velipoja areas. The high flux of constructions damages the sustainable development of tourism. The big hotels of Shengjin, are leasing their rooms with a price from €50-60 nightly, from a minimum of €80 that were in the previous years.
However, the high number of hotels this summer season has not corresponded with a high number of tourists in the area, which this year was the lowest in Shengjin. The vacationers from Kosovo, who were the biggest in number and the most loyal ones, are now exploring other coasts in Albania, and in other countries. The businesses from the Shengjin area, say that the flux of beachgoers this year was decreased by 50%, compared to a year before. They invested in vain in infrastructure and human resources, as this summer season they were disappointed by the outcome.
The reasons for the abandonment and decrease of tourists in the area are plenty, but the main one is the lack of orienting politics from the government, regarding sustainable development in the tourism field, by allowing the construction without criteria, even nowadays, three decades in capitalism.
Source/Monitor.al
Photo Credit/Wikimedia Commons
Read also: 2 Million Tourists Visited Albania Between January-June 2019
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