Albania: Coastal Regions

Score: 52

Shunned by the travel industry during Albania’s years of political isolation, this coastline is now seeing “the beginnings of typical Mediterranean mass tourism.”

Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"There is still hope for this small beautiful country and its isolated coastline. Garbage and littering are issues. Typical Mediterranean mass tourism overdevelopment is creeping into coastal towns."

"A diamond in the rough, the Albanian coast is unspoiled. Management is needed to protect it before the hordes arrive. Ecological and archaeological sites are at extreme risk if wholesale diving, fishing and cruise ship access happen. Butrint is a great site, as are others, but they need protection from overbuilding and too many roads."

"The northern and mid-coast regions are in serious trouble because untreated industrial waste and raw sewage is being emptied into the ocean. The wetlands of the Karavasta Lagoon need serious attention. In the South the situation is better because it is less developed."

« Back to Full List of Destinations Facing Trouble