Albanian infrastructure improvements mark the road to increased tourism and trade
Albania’s mountainous topography is an important factor in drawing visitors to this diverse and striking country. However, with the stunning scenery come problems for getting around.
At least this was the case however until the new Albanian motorway was completed at the end of 2010; a 37-mile stretch of high spec four-lane highway connecting central Albania to the Kosovan border to the north.
The motorway, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Albania, forms the central segment of a 106 mile highway traversing the country from the beautiful Adriatic coastline up to the northeastern village of Kalimash near the Kosovan border. It includes a 3.4 mile twin bore tunnel and 29 bridges built into the rocky cliff faces.
Now in 2011, the motorway is fully up-and-running and facilitating increased volumes in travel and trade in the north of Albania. It has also significantly reduced the time to drive from Kosovo to the Albanian capital Tirana and the road links key markets to the Adriatic port of Durres boosting economic growth in time for EU accession and generating further tourism to the region. Generally travel time along the route has been cut by a staggering two-thirds.
Just north of the coastal town of Durres lies Gjiri i Lalzit. This is another area which will soon benefit from infrastructure improvements in this rapidly developing country. Plans have been drawn up for a new road directly into a major international resort currently being built. The completed road leading directly from Tirana and the airport into this un-spoilt Adriatic bay will be completed by 2012.
Gjiri I Lalzit, or Lalzit Bay as it is also known, has been selected for this long-awaited infrastructural upgrade due to its potential for coastal tourism which will further drive the economy in years to come. Major resorts such as Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are leading the way in the sustainable transformation of the coastal area to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors from across the region, especially Kosovo.
Kosovo provides a large pool of tourists for Albania due to its high population of ethnic Albanians (around 90% of the population).
The Government is taking significant positive steps to enhance its holiday destination image for overseas visitors, something which the airlines are acting on by providing increased flights from London across the summer months. Resorts such as Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are proving to hold international appeal with 25 units sold since its formal launch in March 2011.
Investors in the Resort can purchase studios, one or two bedroom apartments or a range of villas from €29,000 each with sea views. Buyers can use their property themselves or rent out to earn healthy revenues from the increasing numbers of tourists that visit the region each year.
For more information contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on +44 (0)845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.