Albergo Diffuso is a recent initiative also undertaken in Albania. An interesting and valuable model for tourists and the community has begun to be implemented in our country by entrepreneurs in the hotel-tourism field. Below you will find an interview with Olsi Pengili, Founder of Albergo Diffuso in Kruja and the "Visit Kruja" platform.
How did the idea to open this business come about, or did you study the area and see future prospects for tourism?
The idea to open an activity in the Castle of Kruja has been around for about 10 years, during my involvement in the revitalization of the Kruja Hamam by CHWB (Culture Heritage With Borders). This was the period when I started to engage in tourism and cultural heritage projects. Through my involvement in this project, the concept and idea of implementing an activity in the Castle of Kruja deepened and developed, as one of the most strategic areas not only for Kruja but also for Albania. As I pursued my vision, in 2016, I made an investment in the area of Kruja Castle by buying one of the houses in the neighborhood with the idea of adapting it as an inn for tourists. As for the Albergo Diffuso model, I became familiar with it in 2020 through Mr. Mirtjon Mita (Tourism Project Manager at RISI Albania) during a collaboration we had just started on the development of tourism projects in the city of Kruja. It took about 3 years of intensive work, in close collaboration with the RISI Albania project, to implement this innovative model for tourism in Albania, in the area of Kruja Castle. The process has included assessing the area, selecting houses and local partners to be part of Kruja Albergo Diffuso, signing cooperation agreements with house owners, carrying out architectural projects, restoring and furnishing them, and providing training for various local actors such as tour guides, artisans, etc. The Ministry of Culture has also made a valuable contribution to the implementation of this project through the implementation of its "Restoration Bonus" program, which supports the restoration and revitalization of houses through grants.
Why should a tourist or visitor turn to your company?
What makes Kruja Albergo Diffuso special is the implementation of an innovative tourism model in Albania, such as Albergo Diffuso, and the fact that we are the first in Albania, which is a privilege and a challenge for us at the same time. The offer of Kruja Albergo Diffuso consists of accommodation near the authentic and centuries-old houses of Kruja Castle, experiencing various activities with artisans from the area (such as making a keychain, weaving on a loom), cooking classes with traditional dishes by the ladies of Kruja Castle, as well as offering and tasting roasted coffee as in ancient times, and more. Another strong point of Kruja Albergo Diffuso will be the offering of various tours in culinary and agrotourism, such as Wine and Olive Oil Testing, nature tours (hiking, bike tours, etc.), cultural tours (art and music courses), and regional tours that last 2-3 days. This will allow tourists to extend their stay in Kruja and have a more complete and enriching experience of the city of Kruja. Kruja Albergo Diffuso will operate as a local tour operator, offering other necessary services for tourists such as tour guides, taxi service, car rental, etc.
What tourism potential does Kruja have in terms of capacity?
Kruja has great potential in the field of tourism. Kruja has great potential in the field of tourism. Kruja is the most visited city in Albania, with around 300,000 visitors per year. Two strategic factors in favor of tourism development are its historical significance as the center of Albanian resistance against Ottoman invaders, led by our national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, and its geographical location, which is only 32 km from the capital city of Albania (Tirana), 17 km from Tirana International Airport, and 34 km from the main port of Albania (Durres Port). Kruja offers a rich and diverse range of tourist packages, including:
Historical tourism through visits to the National Historical Museum "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" and the Ethnographic Museum, two of the most visited museums in Albania.
Cultural heritage tourism through the characteristic Old Bazaar, which is the oldest in Albania and serves as a center for artisans and antique shops.
Nature tourism through Qafë Shtama National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Albania. The nature of Kruja is rich in mountains, canyons, lakes, etc., providing great potential for nature and adventure tourism in the area.
Religious tourism through numerous historical religious sites, including churches, mosques, and tekkes (Sufi lodges). One of the highly visited destinations is the Sarisalltik Tekke on the mountain of Kruja, which is a pilgrimage site for people from all over Albania.
Agrotourism is another potential for tourism development in the city of Kruja. Agrotourism is in its early stages of development and will be an important factor in the sustainable tourism development of the Kruja area, offering local products to the many tourists visiting the city. The relief and climate of the Kruja region are well-suited for the development of agrotourism.
From which countries do most visitors come to visit Kruja?
Visitors to the city of Kruja come from various countries around the world. However, the majority of visitors mainly come from Europe, such as Poland, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc. Polish and Spanish tourists make up the highest number of visitors. During the first 6 months of 2023, the National Historical Museum "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu," as one of the most visited museums in Albania, was frequented by 35,000 local and foreign visitors. In June alone, the National Historical Museum was visited by 12,000 visitors. According to this year's statistics, there has been an increase in the number of Asian visitors, including tourists from China, Japan, and Indonesia, a number that is expected to continue rising as the effects of the pandemic subside.
In which other cities do you organize tours and tourist packages?
As mentioned earlier, Kruja Albergo Diffuso has also prepared regional tours in collaboration with other tour operators and various stakeholders. Some of these tours include:
Day tours: Kepi i Rodonit - Skanderbeg Church - Lalëzi Bay - Duka Winery.
Kruja Castle - Barkanesh - Buran - Qinam - Pinar (Bike tour).
Kruja Castle - Lekë Zaharia Road - Bovilla Lake.
For the 2-3 day tours, the following options are available:
Kruja - Koman Lake - Kosovo.
Kruja - Virpazar - Kruja.
Kruja - Ohrid - Kruja.
Kruja - Vlora - Sazan Island - Llogara - Dhërmi - Qeparo - Vlora - Kruja.
Olsi Pengili is the founder of Albergo Diffuso in Kruja and is well-known as the founder of Visit Kruja, the city's largest tourism marketing platform and official tourism information point for the past 3 years (2017-2020). Pengili is also the founder of Traditional Fashion, a modern clothing brand with traditional motifs. His previous experience includes being the Director of "ZOOM" Newspaper, Director of Taxes at Kruja Municipality, and Tourism Consultant at AADF (Albanian American Development Foundation) for the TID Kruja project.
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