The government support for agri-tourism development projects has encouraged many residents in the country’s northeast to turn their private homes or traditional stone houses into attractive guesthouses for both local and foreign visitors. Guesthouses owned by households in Albania’s north with a reputation for their hospitality and generosity offer richness and variety of tourism opportunities, including mountainous, natural and cultural attractions.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited one of the rarest guesthouses opened in Diber, a 200-year-old stone tower of rare historic values nestled among the foothills of forests. Restoring the old house to its former glory was a project implemented by Lulzim shortly after returning back home from emigration abroad, where he worked and lived for seven years.

Owner of this historic landmark in Diber tells how his idea of turning the property into a model of agri-tourism evolved.

“Three generations of this family have been living in this 200-year-old stone house build by our forefather and I am the last one to refurbish the property. It was a very tough start indeed as I had to build the road leading to this house first. The early tourists arrived here accidentally and I desperately wanted to invite them in and I tried to explain them history, our traditions and hospitality. And I succeeded as I hosted a large group of tourists. However, I lacked sufficient accommodation capacities,” he said.

He said that number of foreign tourists visiting his house has kept growing gradually.

“The number of tourist was initially very low. But their number grew as I started to invest more and expand accommodation capacities. This investment adds value to this area and whole Albania, as we offer richness and variety of tourism opportunities, including mountainous, natural and cultural attractions. Everyone can do this.”

He revealed his future plans to expand his agri-tourism business in what he calls the seven stone towers project.

“I won’t stop here as I have been thinking about the seven stone houses project. Dibra region is distinguished for such properties. I have already identified several of them and I am looking forward to collaborating with the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency and prepare a joint project,” he added.

PM Rama assured the guesthouse owner that the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency will continue to support his agri-tourism business plans.

“We will definitely continue to provide support. We will also support the seven stone houses project and we will also call for the European Commission’s support for this wonderful project,” Rama said.

The government head also noted that once the Arberi Road project completes the number of tourist in this guesthouse will certainly grow.