"It was exactly on August 8th, 1991, when 32 years ago, overcrowded ships of Albanians in search of hope crossed the sea to land on the shores of Italy. But today, 32 years later, the ships have been replaced by ferries, which sail in the opposite direction. From Bari to Durrës or Vlora, Italians going to Albania are no longer just tourists, but also new residents of the Albanian capital." This is how the prestigious "La Stampa" starts its article, revealing that many Italian citizens are choosing Albania not only as a tourist destination but also as a place to work and live.
According to the well-known Italian newspaper, the "low-cost" destinations offered by the country are relatively cheaper compared to other tourist attractions in Europe. An example of this is Ksamil, considered the "affordable Maldives" of the Balkans, where foreign visitors find prices more tempting than in other places.
However, it seems that this is not the only reason for the increasing number of foreigners landing in Albanian airports and ports every year, according to the Italian media. "Nowadays, in the streets of Tirana, foreigners are not only seeking entertainment but also opportunities for work and business. Extremely low taxes below 15%, cost-effective labor, and artisanal services are the main factors driving Italian entrepreneurs to start or relocate their financial activities in Albania," the article states.
According to the latest data from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are more than 20,000 Italian citizens who have been living and operating in our country for 5-6 years. Moreover, according to recent data from the Bank of Albania, there are a total of around 2,700 Albanian-Italian enterprises, out of which 1,911 are fully Italian, operating in the Albanian market. Albania is considered the fourth European country for foreign investments, after Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada. And if the streets of Tirana are coveted by Italians for economic activities, places like Durrës and Vlora, among others, have turned into retirement destinations for neighboring state pensioners to spend their retirement years.
Although the cost of living has risen in the last three years, Albania continues on its path to becoming a preferred destination for Italians for holidays, business, and life. On the other hand, despite this, many Albanians have chosen European countries to relocate their lives as seasonal migrants or asylum seekers in search of new perspectives.
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