Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama started the day with a good news about Albania and Kosovo.
With a note on his Facebook page, Rama reports that our two countries have begun working on the revival of mountain trails and the link through the "Via Dinarica" corridor.
"WELCOME with the good news that Albania and Kosovo have begun working on the revival of mountain trails and the link with the 'Via Dinarica' corridor, considered by the National Geographic Traveler in 2017 as one of the best places to be visited, I wish you a quiet weekend," Rama writes.Albanian Development Fund and sister organizations in Kosovo CDF (Community Development Fund) have begun the work on the implementation of this project funded through the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Kosovo-Albania.
The goal is to include a number of Albanian Alps paths on the route of Via Dinarica, already part of the global mountain tourism platform, featured by the National Geographic Traveler magazine in 2017 as one of the best places to be visited.
"Via Dinarica" is estimated in the Albanian Sectoral Sectoral Tourism Plan (PAP) as one of the most important tourist itineraries that must be developed. Via Dinarica is a 2,000 km long trail and runs through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.
Albania and Kosovo will work together for a series of interventions to improve tourist infrastructure, revitalize mountain paths on both sides of the border, increase access for walking and bicycle enthusiasts etc.
The goal is to include a number of trails in the Albanian Alps on the itinerary of Via Dinarica, already part of the global mountain tourism platform.
Via" Dinarica is a cultural corridor that through new or existing paths connects naturally seven Western Balkan countries and communities, exposing an impressive variety of landscapes and traditions.
In essence, not only encourages the potential of the entire region for tourism, but also aims at developing remote rural areas along the path and increasing the welfare of local populations through the promotion of tourist services.
During 2017, the ADF was selected as a partner in 6 projects funded by CBC / Cross-Border Cooperation Programs. These projects are focused on tourism development and innovation in the environment. The total projects have a value of 1 million euros and have started to be implemented in early 2018.
Alps of Albania are at the top of this route due to the unique environment.
The goal is to achieve the right combination between adventure tourism and authenticity. Tough peaks, marked trails, traditional flats, fresh food and hospitality from locals.
This is what the route project Via Dinarica offers, impacting on the addition of a new influx of tourists, through a new side of tourism, without previously exploring the Balkan region in our country.