French blog: Albania gains attention as an affordable coastal destination

Albania is gaining ever more attention as a more affordable holiday alternative, at a time when well-known international destinations, especially island ones and those oriented towards luxury tourism, come with high costs.

According to an article published on the French blog “Horticulture-Abadie-Pyrénées”, Albania ranks among the destinations that can offer an attractive holiday experience at more affordable prices, becoming an interesting option for visitors who want to discover new places without high expenses.

The Belgians have begun preparations for their summer holidays. Although France, Belgium and Italy remain among the most preferred destinations, ever more attention is also being paid to other countries that offer different holiday alternatives.

The cost of a trip can vary significantly even within the same country, depending on the region. One example is Spain, where prices in well-known destinations such as Marbella differ from those in the Costa Brava area. Several factors influence the cost of a trip, including transport, the type of package chosen, the length of stay and the cost of living at the destination.

Exotic islands, destinations linked to luxury tourism

Island destinations are generally more expensive, mainly because of high transport and logistics costs. In the Maldives, for example, each island usually has only one resort, limiting supply and pushing prices up. A single seaplane transfer can cost from 450 to 600 dollars, while a night in an overwater bungalow at a resort can cost around 2,000 dollars. Barbados, the Cayman Islands, the Seychelles and Mauritius are also among the destinations oriented mainly towards luxury tourism.

Albania, the new destination with more affordable prices

By contrast, Albania is emerging as a developing destination that offers more affordable holiday options. Piet Demeyere, spokesman for “TUI Belgium”, the Belgian company of the international tourism group TUI, said this is the third year the company includes Albania in its summer programme and ranks it among the destinations with the lowest prices. According to him, Albania is also accessible through direct “TUI fly” flights to Tirana. “This destination is of particular interest to those who wish to discover new places,” Demeyere says.

Durrës, on Albania’s Adriatic coast and only about 30 minutes by car from Tirana, also offers affordable ways to enjoy the destination. In the city, renting an electric bicycle costs around 5 euros for two hours, creating a practical opportunity to explore the area and the coast. Although luxury hotels near the coast can have higher prices, the surrounding areas offer more affordable accommodation alternatives. Renting an apartment is presented as an economical option for visitors who want to enjoy the Albanian coast while keeping a favourable balance between cost and stay.

Among the other destinations ranked by the French blog “Horticulture-Abadie-Pyrénées” are Iceland, Switzerland, Africa, Japan, Bulgaria and Tunisia, which are presented as alternatives for tourists who want to discover different places during their summer holidays.