Saudi media: Albania, top destination to visit in 2018

The Albanian government's latest decision on lifting visas for citizens of Saudi Arabia's Kingdom during the tourist season has been met with interest, as well as reflected in local portals.

Regarding this decision, but also for tourist potential, Arab Weex Day has published an interview with Albania's ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sami Saba, who indicated that citizens from Saudi Arabia can travel and enter Albania without visas from April 2018 to October 31, 2018.

For Saudi travelers who want to come to Albania, there is no specific request. During the summer period, from April 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018, Saudi citizens can travel to Albania without visas, without having to obtain visas at the Albanian Embassy. The trip can be made with a valid passport. I want to use this opportunity to invite Saudi tourists to view Albania as one of the best options when they make their own holiday plans”, the Albanian ambassador declares.

It further speaks of the extraordinary tourist potential of Albania's coastline and mountainous areas, reports atish.

Natural beauty, its geographic position, and its satisfying Mediterranean climate make Albania a unique tourist site in Europe throughout the year. These factors contributed to an increase in the number of foreign citizens visiting Albania as tourists during 2017 to over 5.2 million. More recently, Albanian tourism has increased, joining the tourist packages showing its most precious features, such as sun and sea tourism, historical and cultural tourism, mountain and field tourism.

Albania has a considerable 450km coastline and extends along the Adriatic Sea and Ion, where within minutes tourists can experience the mountainous climate of Llogara and the warmth of the Drermi coast. Besides beaches, the Adriatic coast is rich in lagoons and natural ecosystems.

Jon's coastline is known for its interesting deep - clear beaches. One of the country's most interesting tourist areas is the Albanian Revolution, the place where the sun lies in the deep sea, the marvelous configurations of isolated little beaches, mountains and hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation, etc. This is Albania's warmest region and is blessed with 300 sunny days. The town of Saranda is the most populated city in the Albanian Renaissance and is a major tourist destination, especially preferred by married couples in the honeymoon. The city is well placed on the coast, which is only 9km away from Corfu Island”.

Albania is rich in natural water resources, such as rivers, lakes and a long sea coast. Two of the most important ecosystems are the Shkodra and Ohrid lakes, known by the RAMSAR Convention and the U NESTO. Albania is also rich in resources, rivers and streams. Four wonderful sources for their natural beauty are the Blue Eye in Saranda, the Cold Water in Tepelene, Viroi in Gjirokastra, and Shegan's Eye at Lake Shkodra.

Albania has significant resources for the tourist development of mountainous areas. The Albanian Alps in the north, mountains along the Ionian Sea, the mountains of Kruja, Berat, and Elbasan offer great opportunities to visit tourists throughout the year, even during the winter after a mild climate. Albania offers very traditional accommodation in its mountainous regions, allowing an interesting experience of cultural immersion.

Most tourists stay in the old traditional stone houses, the so-called “Cullat”, where local citizens welcome them with dishes made from bread, honey, cheese, and other delicious household foods. The Balkan Maya, which belong to the alpine border region between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, is the destination of increasing popularity on tourist maps worldwide.

Albania has a rich historical and cultural heritage known as part of the world's cultural heritage that guarantees special protection. Butrinti, located in southern Albania, is part of U's World Heritage List NESTO is described as one of the most amazing countries on earth. Two other Albanian cities are on U's World Heritage List NESTO, remarkable for their architectural style: Berat and Gjirokastra. I am sure that the rich story will leave pleasantly surprised foreign visitors.

Albania is a safe place for visitors. Albanians are very open to foreigners visiting their country. Hospitality is an old Albanian tradition. Foreigners are always treated with special respect. Albanians are a friendly people who make visitors feel very welcome.

In addition to hospitality, Albania is rich in traditions and folklore. During your visit to ethnographic museums as well as by attending folk artistic activities, you will be able to enjoy this inherited wealth over the centuries that still thrive in modern times. Now Albania is part of the contemporary world of art and culture, thanks to a series of artists in Albania working in various disciplines. Your visit to Albania is a good opportunity to visit many art galleries, exhibitions, museums, and experience the arts through a wide range of various activities.