Produced by: AITR – Italian Association for Responsible Tourism
In collaboration with: COSV Albania
With the contribution of: the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
First Edition: February 2025
Description:
The publication “Lakes of Albania – Catalogue of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Models” has been developed within the framework of the project “Lakes of Albania – Promotion of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Models for the Inclusive Development of Communities” (AID 012590/02/1), financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The project is coordinated by AITR – Italian Association for Responsible Tourism and implemented in partnership with COSV Albania and local public and private stakeholders operating in the regions of Pogradec and Shkodra.
The initiative aims to promote integrated models of territorial governance and sustainable tourism in the areas surrounding Lake Ohrid/Pogradec and Lake Shkodra, which represent two of the most valuable natural and cultural ecosystems in Albania and the Western Balkans. The project advocates for an alternative to aggressive tourism and development trends, fostering instead community-led, environmentally respectful, and socially inclusive approachesto local development.
Through a participatory methodology, the project has engaged local authorities, community groups, civil society organisations, youth, and women entrepreneurs in defining shared strategies for sustainable tourism. Key results include:
- The establishment of a Local Action Group (GAL LABEATËT) to promote long-term territorial cooperation and integrated local development.
- The drafting of a Sustainable Tourism Action Plan for the area between the Albanian Alps National Park and the protected area of Lake Shkodra.
- Technical assistance for small enterprises to reduce environmental impact and enhance social inclusion.
- The creation of a dedicated development fund supporting local start-ups and public-private co-design initiatives for the valorisation of rural heritage.
- A communication and awareness campaign co-designed with local youth, promoting responsible tourism at national and regional levels.
The Catalogue collects the outcomes and experiences developed within the project, offering a comprehensive overview of the Pogradec region as a model for responsible and sustainable tourism. It features detailed information on:
- Local hospitality services, restaurants, and community-based guesthouses;
- Artisans, artists, and small producers engaged in sustainable value chains;
- Cultural and natural heritage sites;
- Suggested eco-tourism itineraries, hiking and cycling routes, and thematic excursions.
By integrating storytelling, practical information, and territorial mapping, the publication illustrates how sustainability and inclusivity can become drivers of local economic development. It stands as a concrete example of cooperation between institutions, civil society, and local actors in shaping resilient and sustainable communities.
This catalogue is designed as a tool for knowledge exchange and capacity building for policymakers, practitioners, and development agencies working in the fields of sustainable tourism, participatory governance, and community empowerment across the Mediterranean and Western Balkans.
