Head to wild river Vjosa in Albania, best for adventure-The Independent

"Beat the January blues and head to Albania for adventure” this is what recommends the prestigious world known media The Independent. The article lists 10 categories: and Albania is the chosen one for adventure category.

Photo: Albania Holidays 

“Albania’s Vjosa is the last free-flowing river in Europe, enjoying a protected status currently under threat due to the proposed building of a dam.  Up to 2km wide at some points, the river is ideal for exploring by paddle, with rafting and kayaking available.” writes the Independent.

Photo: Albania Holidays 

See original article: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/blue-monday-travel-holidays-winter-sun-weekend-breaks-la-gomera-prague-valletta-a8143641.html

Foreign citizens are not allowed to work as a tourist guide in Albania without Albanian certificate

The Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship has announced a new law regarding foreign tour operators. 

According to law no. 93/2015 “On tourism” and Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 692, dated 05.10.2016, the activity of tourist guide in the Albanian territory may not be exercised without the relevant certificate from the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship.

The foreign tour operator, offering travel packages comprising visits in the territory of the Republic of Albania, has the obligation to ensure that the tourist group is accompanied by a certified guide by the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship. In case of inspection, the foreign tour operator has the obligation to produce the service contract entered into with the certified tourist guide or Albanian tour operator.

The exercise of this activity by foreign citizens, in absence of a certified tourist guide, is punishable by a fine amounting to 150.000 Albanian Lek. The State Market Surveillance Inspectorate, under the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship, exercises control and takes measures against infringements.

Source: Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship 

Albania Holidays free tour for kids of Fshati SOS in Albania

Albania Holidays in cooperation with its UK partner, Exodus Travel organized a free tour to Berat for children of SOS Village Albania. SOS Village is  a social, non-profit, non-politic and non-religious organization offering shelter to children who have lost parental care.

The group of 28 children had the chance to visit Berat, a UNESCO city,  on April 1st, while some of them have never been in this city. Kids of age up to 15 years old enjoyed this trip and learned a lot about this UNESCO Site. The program included transport, tour guide, a visit to Onufri Museum and Berat Castle all for free!

Thank you letter of SOS Village Director

Albania Holidays celebrates 10 years of success!

The story behind!

All started from the two well educated young  guys who were very enthusiastic about their country and its tourism potential. Kliton Gerxhani was graduated in International Tourism Management and Consultancy at NHTV- Breda University in Netherlands and Armand Ferra in Business Administration and Management in Oxford Brookes University UK.

As other people who studied abroad and wanted to invest their knowledge in their country, they founded in 2005 the incoming company named Albania Holidays. The company started with online tourism through a website for hotels, which is today the most popular website for booking hotels in Albania always top 1 in Google, www.albania-hotel.com. The website itself was an innovation as it brought Albanian hotels for the first time online, with description and prices. From years, hotels are bookable with credit card from this website and other websites added lately such as www.balkan-hotel.com and www.tirana-hotel.com

Albania Holidays  as an incoming agency as played a great role in promoting Albania abroad, by publishing rich information on tourism in Albania, not only in English but  also in German, Italian, French and even Russian language. One of the leading UK newspapers Mirror.co.uk. on  22 April 2006 in an article titled “Albania Mania “ would write:  Albania doesn't have its own tourist board in the UK, but you should visit albania-holidays.com, a dynamic little local company which offers three-night hotel stays in Tirana from and week-long tours around the country, including accommodation."

Albania Holidays DMC is today a Destination Management Company the only representative for Albania at World of DMC, member of Albanian Tourism Association and other important tourism bodies. It organizes successful Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events for some international companies, and brands. 

The company operates tours around Albania and Balkans through partnering with some well-known international tourism companies, mainly from UK, USA but also other countries of Europe. Through its rich and updated websites, the company serves to individuals to book hotels and tours online. 

Due to its hard work and professionalism in offering top quality service, Albania Holidays has grown significantly in 10 years. It has opened a branch in Pristina Kosovo, named Kosovo Holidays, and employs 10 well educated people full time, while working with around 30 or more professional guides on tour bases. 

Albania Holidays  has contributed actively in lobbing for tourism and influencing government policies to support the development of the sector. All these make it a very reputable company in Albania and broader.