Journey to Albania

Book excerpt: Over the last ten years, Albania has undergone rapid development, becoming a well-recognised tourist destination within the Mediterranean region. Tourism represents one of the most significant opportunities for the country and – at the same time – a challenge for a developing nation and emerging economy – especially if we take into account an isolationist period of more than forty years during the social-communist dictatorship. This book aims to provide a base for discussion about the impact of tourism on the Albanian territory – firstly from a historical point of view, and secondly to observe a specific case study and analyse its impact. This book is a journey to Albania, looking at architecture, explorations, and landscapes from the traveller's perspective. Inevitably this will include other academic fields, such as geography, history, and spatial planning, and will also recognise the contested Italian influence as an additional layer of complexity in Albania's 20th century.