'Europe but 4-Bedroom Accommodation for 530,000 KRW a Week'... This Country Rises as a Fair-Priced Vacation Spot

Albania Escapes Stigma of Poverty and Crime
Visited by Italian Prime Minister on Vacation

Albania, one of the poorest countries in Europe and once infamous as a 'crime country,' has become a hot topic as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni heads there for her summer vacation.

Italy's 'Overcharging' Sparks Albania's Rise as a Vacation Destination

[Image source=Pixabay]

According to local media Sky TG24 on the 16th (local time), Prime Minister Meloni, along with her partner Andrea Zamburno and daughter Ginevra Zamburno, took a regular ferry from Puglia, a famous resort area in southeastern Italy, on the 14th and arrived in the southwestern Albanian coastal city of Vlore, where they spent two days on vacation.

Meloni visited Albania at the invitation of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. However, local netizens interpreted Meloni's trip as a move to escape Italy's high prices and overcharging, opting instead for a more affordable vacation in Albania.

In fact, articles about overcharging at vacation spots during the holiday season have been appearing daily in Italy.

As a result, Albania, with many low-cost resorts and affordable prices where Italians with limited vacation budgets can enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere, has emerged as a cost-effective travel destination.

According to major foreign media, Nicholas Ferrero from Rimini, a northern Italian city, said he paid only 360 euros (about 530,000 KRW) for a week-long stay in a well-maintained four-bedroom shared accommodation in Saranda, Albania.

Ferrero added that when he arrived at the Saranda resort, the beach was full of Italians, saying, "It felt like a little Italy."

The media explained that low-cost airline routes to Albania have increased this year, leading to a surge in European tourists visiting Albania. Approximately 500,000 Italian tourists visited Albania this year, a 57% increase compared to the same period last year.

According to Eurostat, the European statistical office, the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists visiting Albania in the first quarter increased by 152% compared to the same period in 2019.

Memes Erupt Following Italian PM's Visit

An image satirizing Prime Minister Meloni (right), who chose Albania as a vacation destination. A speech bubble directed at her cohabitant Andrea Zamburno (left) says, "Let's go to Albania."

As Prime Minister Meloni headed to Albania instead of Puglia, Italy's top vacation spot where she usually spends her holidays, various satirical 'memes' (internet viral content) were created on local social media platforms.

In particular, a photo with a speech bubble saying, "100 euros (about 146,000 KRW) for two parasols and chairs? Zamburno, let's hurry to Albania," became a major sensation.

A photo (left) described as the scene of people fleeing to Italy to escape the chaos in Albania in 1991, and a photo (right) described as Italians coming to Albania for vacation this year. [Photo source=Captured from Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania's Instagram]

Additionally, Albanian Prime Minister Rama recently praised in an interview with Italian broadcaster LA7 that the influx of tourists has helped Albania shed its stereotype as a dangerous country with many criminals.

Rama posted two photos on his Instagram. One depicted Albanians fleeing to Italy in 1991 to escape severe domestic turmoil, and the other showed Italians flocking to Albania this summer holiday season.