A new dawn for Albania. With Rama’s Socialist party at the helm, and Tony Blair advising, will this Balkan brother become one of Europe’s biggest players?

by Kate
Albania´s ex-Prime Minister Sali Berisha chaired his last government meeting last week after a defeat in the June 23rd parliamentary elections by the Socialists now headed by Edi Rama, Tirana’s former mayor, who was officially inaugurated on Monday of this week as Albania’s new leader.
  • Socialist Edi Rama officially inaugurated on 9th September as Albanian leader
  • Tourism set to directly contribute over 1 billion euros to Albanian GDP by 2022 
 
The new prime minister reflected on the previous government and pledged to transform the economy with the political guidance of external advisories such as former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, vowing greater integration with the European Union and a promise to tackle endemic corruption and organised crime in the Balkan country.  
Indeed the figures don’t lie, Albania is visited annually by 4.7 million tourists with the direct contribution of travel & tourism to GDP standing at €580m  (6.2% of total GDP) in 2011, and forecast to rise by 5.4% per annum to €1.03bn by 2022.
This positive forecast is set to not only further bolster the Balkan nation’s economy but drive forward its emerging holiday home market as more and more tourists look to make their stay more permanent.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline comments,
“As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Here at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa we have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the strengthening of the Albanian Lek and the depreciation of the Euro, boosting buyer confidence especially from areas outside of the Eurozone.
“The change of government reinforces the on-going bid for the rising Balkan nation to join the EU. Reaching EU candidate status would further increase the economic appeal of Albania, making it even more attractive to property investors and second home owners.”
EU membership may be the end goal but this Land of the Eagles is already a rising star on the global stage. G Adventures, Frommers and the Daily Telegraph amongst others, have all included Albania on their 2013 bucket lists.
Indeed, “emerging” as it may be this tiny Balkan nation is already a well-known hotspot for regional travellers from Germany, Italy and Macedonia. It’s also well serviced by Europe’s popular budget airlines and will no doubt become an even bigger tourist draw as a future member state of the EU.
For those wishing to snap up a bargain luxury property on Albania’s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline in 2013, why not take a look at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa?
Only moments away from the beach, the stunning resort apartments and villas are designed to be the ultimate beach properties in Albania affording private swimming pools, BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants. Homes are priced from just €32,000.
For more information on the Adriatic’s secret jewel please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com .