The Director General of the National Tourism Agency, Ms. Zana Çela, welcomed to a meeting Mr. Khaled ElEnany - Former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt and Candidate for Director-General of UNESCO, as well as the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Tirana, Mr. Hassan Shawky.
At this meeting, the Director General of AKT emphasized the profound transformative moment that Albania is going through in the tourism sector.
"In recent years, we have recorded a significant increase in the number of international visitors, a diversification of markets and an increased attention to the quality of the services we offer. From the crystal-clear coasts of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, to the impressive Alps in the north, from museum cities like Berat and Gjirokastra, to villages immersed in greenery and tradition, Albania is affirming itself as an authentic, safe and increasingly sought-after destination in the Mediterranean", said Ms. Çela.
He also spoke about the Albanian Government's clear vision for the sustainable development of tourism, built on three fundamental pillars:
- Improving infrastructure and digitizing the sector,
- Increasing quality through professional training and new standards,
- Promoting tourism throughout the year, to break the short summer season and to encourage other forms of tourism such as cultural, gastronomic, mountain or agrotourism.
"The positive developments of these years are not a coincidence, but the result of joint work between institutions, entrepreneurs and international partners. Today, more than ever, we need to exchange experiences with countries with a long tradition in this field, such as Egypt," the Director of AKT underlined.
Khaled ElEnany, stated that the Egyptian Tourism Authority is ready to cooperate with AKT to share experience regarding two of the most effective and important projects they have implemented in the field of tourism promotion.
From January to May, Albania has recorded a 53% increase in the number of visitors from Egypt, compared to the same period in 2024.
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Below you will find the full speech of the Director General of the National Tourism Agency, Ms. Zana Çela.
It is a special pleasure and honor for me, on behalf of the National Tourism Agency, to welcome you to Albania – a country small in size, but with a big heart, rich history, and a hospitality that is part of our national DNA.
Your visit today is not just a protocol meeting, but a precious opportunity to share experiences, build bridges of cooperation, and reflect on the importance of tourism in connecting our peoples.
Albania is in a moment of profound transformation in the tourism sector. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the number of international visitors, a diversification of markets and an increased attention to the quality of the services we offer.
From the crystal-clear shores of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, to the impressive Alps in the north, from museum cities like Berat and Gjirokastra – to villages immersed in greenery and tradition – Albania is affirming itself as an authentic, safe and increasingly sought-after destination in the Mediterranean.
The Albanian government has a clear vision for the sustainable development of tourism, built on three fundamental pillars:
• improving infrastructure and digitalizing the sector,
• increasing quality through professional training and new standards,
• and promoting tourism throughout the year – to break the short summer season and promote other forms of tourism such as cultural, gastronomic, mountain or agrotourism.
The positive developments of these years are not a coincidence, but the fruit of joint work between institutions, entrepreneurs and international partners. And today, more than ever, we need to exchange experiences with countries that have a long tradition in this field – such as Egypt.
Egypt, with its historical treasure, experience in managing mass tourism, and potential for sustainable development, is a country with which we wish to strengthen cooperation.
We have much to learn from each other: in how we build the country brand, how we train the tourism workforce, how we promote cultural heritage, and how we create products that are not only attractive, but also sustainable for nature and the community.
Cooperation between Albania and Egypt in the field of tourism has great potential, not only in the exchange of tourists, but also in the field of investment, professional education, cooperation between museums, organizing joint events, and creating regional offers for third markets.
Mr. Minister, your visit to our country is a source of inspiration and reflection for us. It reminds us that tourism is not just an economic industry – it is a bridge that connects civilizations, that promotes dialogue, and that builds lasting friendships.
On behalf of the National Tourism Agency and all those working to give Albania the place it deserves on the world tourism map, I thank you for your presence and assure you of our full willingness to strengthen relations with partners like Egypt.
I wish you a pleasant visit to Albania – a beautiful place to discover and
a true friend to keep close.
Thank you!
