After experiencing a prominent growth in tourism during the last period, Albania shows off its intention of developing a series of increasingly ambitious projects such as the quirky “Beds & Bunker” – a German-Albanian scheming of converting an igloo-shaped bunker into a fancy hostel for backpackers or the rising of luxury beachfront resorts along the unspoiled coast.
According to the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, tourism has made a significant contribution in saving the country from the financial crisis that currently threatens the entire Europe, providing almost 190,000 new jobs.
Albanian concrete bunker, Wikipedia
All these excellent results have encouraged the Albanian tourism officials to think forward and to continue with a strong strategy of promoting the vacation industry in the country. Therefore, they came with a brilliant, quite revolutionary idea of transforming one of Albania’s many concrete bunkers into a backpacker hostel.
The innovative tourism project initiated by both German and Albanian minds is set to take place in Tale, a coastal town located 50km away from Tirana. The plan is currently put into practice by Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ students who work to transform the rough bunker into a comfy igloo-style hostel equipped with useful facilities such as shower, kitchenette, futons and wooden floors. The eight-people accommodation is especially designed to provide cheap lodging for backpackers and budget travelers, so the price will be 8 Euros per night. This is a prototype, but authorities promise they will expand the project if the idea catches on well. The former communist country hosts over 750,000 this kind of bunkers, so this could certainly become huge.
Photo courtesy Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa
Regarding the measures taken in order to increase tourism in Albania, Ravin Maharajah, one of the partners of Lalzit Bay Resort adds:
“Albania is focused on doing what it can to grow tourism. Whether it’s turning bunkers into hostels or developing 5* beach front resorts such as Lalzit Bay, we must ensure that we cater to the needs of Albania’s growing tourism industry. Many backpackers will enjoy making the bunker hostels their home but there is also a growing number who are looking for excellent rental investments or second homes in the nation. Buyers are looking for somewhere unique and different but distinctly Mediterranean. Lalzit Bay is a remarkable European buying opportunity because it is located on a stunning beach, just 30 minutes to the international airport and capital and when you see the unspoiled beach, you realise that you’re seeing something really special.”
As a conclusion, Albania is officially out of its Iron Curtain and is doing its best to reveal and to emphasize its lovely setting, natural beauty and unparalleled tourist attractions that has been endowed with, which means this is a good time to benefit of the tempting low prices.
For those interested in Albania’s property market, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa provides premium, beachfront real estate with a great range of exclusive facilities for as little as €30,000. For more information please visit www.lalzitbay.com.
