At the opening ceremony, the mayor of Gjirokastra, Zamira Rami, said that this activity is very important for development of tourism.
“This fair is one of the most important activities taking place since 9 years, but also the hallmark of our Gjiokastra, the World Site and Cultural Heritage. Through these activities we want to connect the present with the past, the excellent tradition of Gjirokastra with its development. For the first time this expo will feature the Cheese Festival, a mixture of tradition and fame of this area for high quality dairy products, cheese in particular.
According to Rami, tourism is the mainstay of economic development in this area. She described the Heritage, Craftsmanship and Tourism Expo as a major boot to tourism.
“All of us will work to make our Gjirokastra in the four years ahead the city we want it to be. At this September end, we will open the doors and hearts to craftsmen, friends and guests. Let us unfold our best values for hundreds of visiting tourists who will have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of these activities,” the mayor said.