From ‘Taken’ to Theth: The TikToker with 4 million followers who showed the world a different Albania

The story of an American TikToker traveling through Albania goes beyond a tourist’s impressions. It touches on how destination marketing is changing. A country is no longer discovered only through travel agencies, guides, ads or official campaigns. It can suddenly appear on the screen of someone who never searched for information about Albania.

Kalani Smith, known on social media as Kalani Ghost Hunter, is an American content creator, travel vlogger and food reviewer. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, he started his digital career exploring haunted places and posting videos about paranormal phenomena, which earned him the ‘Ghost Hunter’ name.

Later, his shift to travel and gastronomy — especially videos about British cuisine — brought him international popularity. Today, Smith has over 4 million followers across social platforms, while his content is reported to have passed 1 billion views within a year.

His income comes from content monetization, advertising and brand collaborations. According to online estimates, his net worth in 2026 is calculated at around $1.5 million, up from about $1 million previously.

Views

Kalani shared several moments from his trip to Albania, from landing at Rinas and arriving in Theth to visiting the Albanian Riviera. Each of his videos passed 50k views after being posted.

INTERVIEW /

Kalani Smith: ‘Albania is affordable — fuel prices a surprise’

Kalani Smith, known to millions of followers as Kalani Ghost Hunter, visited Albania and discovered a country that, in his words, remains very affordable for foreign tourists, with hospitality that sets it apart — but also with shortcomings in roads and public transport.

Above all, he found that what draws his international audience is not necessarily the Albania of luxury hotels and picture-perfect photos.

His most successful video from the country was a ‘farm to table’ gastronomic experience. After it, followers who had never considered Albania as a destination began writing to say they wanted to visit.

In the interview with ‘Monitor’, the American content creator talks about the Albania he found beyond the screen, the Theth that exceeded his expectations, prices, traffic and hospitality — and about the power a viral video can have today in turning an unknown country into the next destination.

Before coming here, what did you know about Albania and what kind of country did you expect to find?

To be honest, I knew little about Albania. I knew it had been a communist country and that it was mentioned in the film ‘Taken’. I expected to find a developing country. I always try to keep an open mind about every country I travel to.

What surprised you most in Albania, both positively and negatively?

Positively, people have been kind, the hospitality has been excellent and I was amazed by the natural landscapes. Negatively: the driving took some getting used to. Drivers tend to be more aggressive than I’m used to, although I noticed a strong police presence working to curb speeding.

Was there a particular moment when you thought: ‘This is not the Albania I had imagined’?

In the mountains, in Theth, I had that feeling. It was an extraordinarily beautiful part of the country and a very good experience.

What was your most authentic experience with Albanians, the culture or daily life in Albania?

As soon as I arrived, I met a local who had seen my content online and invited me to try his restaurant and join him at a music festival in the mountains.

After getting to know him a bit better, I decided to make this trip with him; in the end, it became the highlight of my visit and one of my fondest memories from Albania.

Among the places you visited, which exceeded your expectations and which seemed more overrated than you expected?

Theth exceeded expectations. The beaches in the south were beautiful, but the mountains amazed me even more.

How would you describe Albanian food to an American, and which dish would you recommend they try first?

It’s simple food, but well prepared, very fresh, using seasonal produce. My favorite dish was a traditional specialty of the area, hearty and full of flavor.

Compared to other European destinations, does Albania remain affordable for international visitors?

Albania is definitely affordable. The biggest surprise in terms of costs was the price of fuel. Seasonal fruit and vegetables were very affordable, and so was accommodation.

How are prices, accommodation and service quality relative to what tourists actually get in return?

For the price you pay, Albania has a very good selection of accommodation. I also liked the dedication of the hosts — when you arrive at a guesthouse, they personally make sure you lack nothing.

Tourism is becoming increasingly important for Albania’s economy. Do you think the country is prepared for such rapid growth?

There is room for investment in infrastructure, especially in roads and public transport. However, I think Albania will continue to attract tourists from all over the world, and continued investment will only help this growth.

As a TikTok content creator with a large international audience, what kind of content about Albania works best, and how much can a viral video influence people’s decision to visit a country?

I have followers from all over the world who watch what I do. My best-performing content was about a ‘farm to table’ gastronomic experience, and people really loved it.

Many of them commented that they now want to visit Albania after seeing it — it was a place they had never even considered before.

Social media often portrays Albania through beaches and luxury hotels. How different is the reality from these images?

Although Albania has these things, there are also areas that are still developing. In villages and farming areas you can experience another side of the country. Albania has extraordinary landscapes, but not every place looks like the postcard version.

Having experienced the country yourself, what would you tell Americans thinking of visiting Albania, and which misconception would you most like to correct?

I’d say the people are simple, kind and sincere, the country is extraordinarily affordable and absolutely worth visiting.

Learning about Albania’s history, from ancient civilizations to its communist past, was a truly valuable part of the trip.

The biggest misconception I’d like to correct is the idea that Albania is not safe. I never felt unsafe for a moment, and my experiences with the people there were overwhelmingly positive.