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Italian tourists discover the other side of Albania: Fraud for prices, blackmail for tents

2023-08-18 23:01:10Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

  

Italian tourists discover the other side of Albania: Fraud for prices, blackmail
The Italian newspaper reveals the other side of Albania:

"This is not Ibiza" , - says an Italian tourist with irony as he leaves one of the most famous beach clubs in Ksamil, Albania. On the phone, you can hear that he is telling some friends about the treatment (and above all the prices) on those beaches that, on the contrary, looking at them from far away in Italy, looked like the new paradise: crystal sea, calmness, no chaos, bills without surprises.

However, the enthusiasm that lasted for several weeks, in reality seems to have already died down. The numerous online testimonies, but not only, of Italians who have spent a few days in Albania show a completely different scenario in the country. Crowded tents, very high prices, payment almost only in cash (and in the local currency Albanian lek), zero parking.

"Blackmail" for umbrellas

"We arrived at Pulebardha Beach after a long journey. For more than a kilometer the road was unpaved. And the scenario before our eyes, looking at it from above, actually leaves us speechless, because the sea was beautiful" - says Flavia, a tourist who was in Albania on August 15.

"However, when we arrived at the beach, we were speechless. We asked for an umbrella and two sunbeds and were told that if we had lunch at the beach restaurant, the price would be 2500 lek (about 25 euros) and without lunch it would be 3000 lek (30 euros). How can prices change based on this choice?". Those hoping to get away from the chaos of the Italian beaches have been disappointed in Albania.

"The umbrellas piled on top of each other. You can see how they try to make the most of these structures in the middle of nature. In the end we decided to have lunch at the restaurant, paying 5 euros less for the tent and sunbeds. But chaos also reigned in the restaurant. We had also ordered a koce fish, but in the end we were asked not to bring it because we were waiting so long".

Coffee 4.50 euros and an umbrella 200 euros

Restaurant prices in Albania tend to be lower than in Italy, but only if you decide to visit those less fashionable beaches. Because in Saranda and Ksamil, the two destinations chosen by everyone for holidays in Albania, the rates are Ibiza style.

"A coffee costs 4.50 euros, a large tent for 3 people costs 50 euros, but the others have even higher prices and go up to 200 euros. A lot of what is said about Albania in Italy is true, at least here in Ksamil," she says.

Italian tourists discover the other side of Albania: Fraud for prices, blackmail

But even those who do not have friends or relatives who have gone on vacation to Albania, can check the latest comments.

"Sponsored videos made by "influencers" are everywhere, but the reality is completely different " - writes a user on social networks. "Small beaches full of umbrellas and sunbeds. Everywhere, gravel instead of sand that is brought in by special trucks, cloudy water, jet skis that go left and right all day with the slanderous smell of gasoline. Rudeness. They drive badly and there is always traffic. High prices as if we were in Miami, dirt everywhere and bad roads. A nightmare" - the comments say.

Comparison with Italy

But that's not all. " Wild wildlife, poor education, filth and stray dogs at unseemly levels. Prices much higher than expected. In Ksamil we paid for an umbrella and 2 sunbeds from €25 to €50 per day. We will never come back" , says another Italian on social networks. Those looking for beaches and areas with more nightlife have not returned satisfied.

"There is a lot of talk about Italy, where prices are often exaggerated, but there is service there. Here they are in a phase of transformation and at the moment they have only increased the prices without adapting the structure ", says a tourist.

In short, the "secret" is to get information before you leave to avoid nasty surprises. On the other hand, many Italians started this year fueled by comments about umbrellas and sunbeds for 10 euros and fish dinners for 20 euros. They exist in Albania, but rarely in known areas. Viewed from Saranda's sunset, Italy seems a little closer (and more beautiful).

Source: "Il Messaggero"  


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