This project is funded by the European Union CROSS‐BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME

Beyond Borders – Introducing Smart Tourism and Sharing Economy

Study on Supply of Available Tourist Services and Tourist Potential in Cross-Border Region

'This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy and Biologists of and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union'

Contents

1 INTRODUCTORY NOTES ...... 9 1.1 Introduction of the Project ...... 9 1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study ...... 10 1.3 Methodlogy ...... 10 1.4 Research Activities ...... 11 2 TOURIST-GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND CONNECTION OF THE CBC REGION ...... 12 2.1 Geographic position ...... 12 2.2 Geographical features ...... 14 2.3 Conections ...... 15 2.4 Tourist position ...... 17 4 FACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE CBC REGION ...... 19 4.1 Natural attractiveness ...... 21 4.2 Demographic and socioeconomic factors ...... 44 4.3 Types of settlements and their characteristics ...... 50 4.4 Cultural-historical and archaeological heritage ...... 60 4.5 Religious factors ...... 76 4.6 Other factors ...... 76 5 ANALYSES OF THE SURVEY OF AVAILABLE TOURIST SERVICES AND TOURIST POTENTIAL IN THE CBC REGION ...... 82 5.1 Needs and overall satisfaction of tourists from the current accommodation offer ...... 83 5.2 Needs and offer of local traditional food and their preparation ...... 88 5.3 Needs of tourists and disadvantages of tourist offers ...... 90 5.4 Assessment of the infrastructure in the region ...... 97 5.5 Marketing activities and its effectiveness ...... 99 5.6 Use of electronic commerce ...... 99 5.7 Quality and price of services ...... 101 5.8 Life-cycle of tourism services and products ...... 104 5.9 Defining future priorities ...... 105 6 TYPES OF TOURISM ACCORDING TO THE POTENTIALS OF CBC REGION ...... 106 6.1 Activity, adventure and sports tourism ...... 106 6.2 Cultural tourism (heritage and festival/event tourism) ...... 113 6.3 Health and wellness tourism ...... 119 6.4 Religious or spiritual tourism ...... 120 6.5 Nature‐based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) ...... 121

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6.6 Culinary or Gastronomic tourism ...... 124 7 SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE LOCAL TOURISM POTENTIALS ...... 126 8 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION ...... 132 9 LITERATURE ...... 137

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List of figures

Figure 1 Methodology to quantify and qualify the tourist services and to quantify tourism potential ...... 11 Figure 2 Equivalent regions and municipalities which are part of this project ...... 14 Figure 3 Infrastructure connections of the Cross-border region ...... 16 Figure 5 Main factors influencing tourism development ...... 20 Figure 6 Mount Korab, ...... 22 Figure 7 Mount Korabi, Dibra ...... 23 Figure 8 Mavrovo Ski Centre ...... 24 Figure 9 Mountain Bistra ...... 24 Figure 10 Lake and Galicica ...... 26 Figure 11 Kalaja e Dodës ...... 28 Figure 12 Lura ...... 31 Figure 13 Lura National Park ...... 31 Figure 14 Ohrid Lake ...... 35 Figure 15 Ostrovo Lake ...... 36 Figure 16 Vevcani springs ...... 37 Figure 17 Debar Lake ...... 38 Figure 18 Mavrovo Lake ...... 39 Figure 19 Black Lake ...... 40 Figure 20 Flower Lake ...... 41 Figure 22 Total tourism contribution to GDP 2014 (in %) ...... 77 Figure 23 Contribution to GDP 2014 (per inhabitant, USD) ...... 77 Figure 24 Total tourism contribution to employment in 2014 (in %) ...... 78 Figure 25 Tourism employment 2008 - 2014 ...... 78 Figure 26 Tourism contribution to GDP 2017 (in %) ...... 79 Figure 27 Contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) ...... 80 Figure 28 Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 83 Figure 29 Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 84

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Figure 30 Question: What kind of accommodation do the foreign visitors prefer ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 84 Figure 31 Question: What kind of accommodation do the foreign visitors prefer ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 85 Figure 32 Question: Rate the priorities of foreign visitors according to your experience: (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 86 Figure 33 Question: Rate the priorities of foreign visitors according to your experience: (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 86 Figure 34 Question: What do foreign visitors prefer in terms of food ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 89 Figure 35 Question: What do foreign visitors prefer in terms of food ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 90 Figure 36 Question: Rate the experiences that domestic visitors prefer (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 92 Figure 37 Question: Rate the experiences that domestic visitors prefer (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 92 Figure 38 Question: Rate the experiences that foreign visitors prefer (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 93 Figure 39 Question: Rate the experiences that foreign visitors prefer (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 93 Figure 40 Question: What souvenirs are most often bought by foreign visitors ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 94 Figure 41 Question: What souvenirs are most often bought by foreign visitors ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 94 Figure 42 Question: What are visitors most often complaining about ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 95 Figure 43 Question: What are visitors most often complaining about ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 95 Figure 44 Question: Assess the situation with the infrastructure in the region (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 98 Figure 45 Question: Assess the situation with the infrastructure in the region (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 98

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Figure 46 Question: Which of the following websites are most often used by visitors to book accommodation or excursion ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)...... 100 Figure 47 Question: Which of the following websites are most often used by visitors to book accommodation or excursion ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 101 Figure 48 Question: What is often the lack of accommodations ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 103 Figure 49 Question: What is often the lack of accommodations ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 103 Figure 50 Question: Rate the priorities that need to be taken in the future: (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) ...... 105 Figure 51 Question: Rate the priorities that need to be taken in the future: (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) ...... 106 Figure 52 ...... 117 Figure 53 ...... 118 Figure 54 Tourism types according to character of tourism resources and values .... 133

List of tables

Table 1 Number of tourists in municipalities Debar, Mavrovo and Rostushe, Struga, and Ohrid, during the peak season (august), 2016-2018 ...... 18 Table 2 Basic demographic indicators for the period of 2015-2017 ...... 44 Table 4 Active business entities by sectors of activity according to NKA Rev.2 (situation on 31 December 2017) ...... 45 Table 5 Summary of population data for Diber Region January 1st 2012 ...... 47

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Table 6 Ranking of the two neigboring countries in the world according to the contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) ...... 80 Table 7 Ranking of Tourism Sectors in the two neighboring countries in the Cross- border region ...... 81 Table 8 Manifestations ...... 115 Table 9 SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials east of the border ...... 127 Table 10 SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials west of the border ...... 129

List of Abbreviations

APA Administration of Protected Areas CB Cross-border CBC Cross-border cooperation ERDF European Regional Development Fund INSTAT Institute of Statistic MoTC Ministry of Transport & Communication NP National Park NPG National Park Galicica PA Protected Areas PL Protected Landscape R & D Research and Development SPA Spatial Planning Agency TDZ Tourism Development Zones ZSP Zone of Strict Protection

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It is necessary to research and record all available tourist services and tourist potentials in the CBC Region, for greater promotion above all and building a further structure of the regional economic development.

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1 INTRODUCTORY NOTES

1.1 Introduction of the Project

This Study is part of the Research and Development (R&D) component of IPA CBC Project “Beyond Borders - Introducing Smart Tourism and Sharing Economy”. Overall objective of this project is to introduce smart tourism development and sharing economy concepts based on more innovative and efficient use of our current cultural and natural resources and existing human capital. This will result in increased business opportunities for local tourism service providers, greater number of tourists in the region and generated new employment. The first step to achieve smart tourism development is exploring the tourist offer on the market and assessing the tourist potential of the region. This Study was developed as a result of the research of tourist services and tourist potential conducted within this project. The Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of available tourist services and tourist possibilities in both countries of the target CBC region and identifies the tourist potential of this region. This Study provides a unique approach to evaluate offers and assess potentials for tourism development, not only in one country in the Cross-border region, but on a region that covers the territory of two neighboring countries. These researches will provide recommendations for harnessing the tourist potential of the region that will contribute to development of tourism in this target CBC region. The results of conducted analysis lead to findings that will serve as strong basis for future development of tourism in this region with identified potentials and possibilities for future actions, related with promotion of tourist products and services within the region. The Study will serve as framework for developing trainings for key stakeholders in the next component of the Project. Those trainings will help the key stakeholders to transform their existing products/services into more attractive experiences. This way, the Study will contribute to the innovative approach of the Project i.e. in the development of people to people online platform (web and mobile) for promotion of unique touristic experiences offered by locals from the Cross-border region. The uniqueness of this tool is in the fusion of the latest tourism trends with innovative IT solutions.

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1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study In this Study, as a part of the Research and Development (R&D) component of this project, are given quantitative and qualitative analysis of available tourist services in target CBC region. The aim of the Study is to analyse the available tourist services and tourist possibilities in order to assess the tourist potential of the region. This information will provide strategic insight for the project activities and will serve as basis for development of trainings in the next component. The objectives of the Study are:  to quantify and qualify the type of tourist services,  to give insight of current use of electronic commerce,  to assess the quality and price of services,  to give info about life-cycle of tourism services and products,  to quantify tourism potential,  to give conclusions and recommendations for future steps etc.

1.3 Methodology Tourism boosts up economic activities through its multiplier effects and exploits local cultural and natural specialties in a positive way. Tourism has significant contribution in sustainable development, economic upliftment and social benefits, if planned methodically. This Study has developed a unique methodology to quantify and qualify the tourist services offered in the CBC region and to quantify tourism potential for a region where detail data is not readily available. The tourism potential has been quantified based on individual spots and clusters. In order to quantify and qualify the tourist services offered in the CBC region and to quantify tourist potential of the region, first an analysis of current available data was made i.e. the data related to tourism from the strategic documents, appropriate websites and scientific literature. Then the stakeholders’ analysis was done in order to identify important stakeholders from different segments of tourism activities of the CBC region.From the analysis of current available data, it has been considered that for a lot of the tourist spots in the region lack authentic tourism data. That is why this methodology as a component of the research also includes collection of data from the survey questionnaires fulfilled by target groups, makes analysis of results and quantification.

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Figure 1 Methodology to quantify and qualify the tourist services and to quantify tourism potentialAnalysis of survey Analysis of current Stakeholders’ Conclusion and results and available data All three phases are necessaryanalysis to be done in order to be made the recommendationsfourth and final step quantification in the Study. Last phase of the Study gives a conclusion and recommendations for harnessing the tourist potential of the target CBC region.

1.4 Research Activities

“Tourism Potential” is a widely used and accepted term in the tourism domain. However, it sometimes creates misunderstanding as the potential expresses some territorial capabilities, which holds a slightly narrower domain. The term “potential” can be interpreted as a synonym to “attractiveness”, which clearly indicates the relationship between demand and supply of tourism. As a part of the Research and Development component of this Project, the first activity undertaken in this Study was Research and Analysis of the strategic documents for tourism development of both countries and local regions from the CBC region covered by this Project. The strategic priorities of both countries are analyzed and compared to the EU tourism development strategy. The current data related to tourism development, tourist destinations and opportunities in the target CBC region from the appropriate websites and scientific literature are also analyzed. The data that are appropriate for the development of the tourism in the region and which are the basis for further analysis of the offers and opportunities, have been taken into consideration during the preparation of this Study. Then the Stakeholders’ Analysis was done. Stakeholders’ Initially, identification and assessment of relevant stakeholders was made based on the data gathered from the scientific literature and on-line data from the respective web sites. Then, the Draft “Database of Stakeholders” was made where are identified the organizations and institutions which are relevant tourism stakeholders in this region and which can benefit from this project. In order to finalize the “Database of Stakeholders” and to finalize the survey for the needs of the Study, the Identification questionnaire was prepared and distributed to the previously identified

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stakeholders, all stakeholders were contacted and the interested were placed in the Final “Database of Stakeholders”. The interested stakeholders i.e. the target groups are relevant tourist institutions, current tourist providers, prospective tourist entrepreneurs, tour operators, touristic agencies, tour guides, public institutions managing natural and cultural heritage, municipalities, governmental Institution, NGOs etc. In order to conduct a survey, a questionnaire was prepared on the available tourist services and the tourist potential in the Cross-border region. The questionnaire was prepared in Macedonian, Albanian and English language and consist of 25 questions appropriate to the topic. The interested stakeholders were contacted, the questionnaire was distributed to them (according to their need-on language that they prefer or understand), they completed it and returned it back. The detailed analysis of the results of the survey and quantification is given in the Chapter 5 of the Study. After all analysis, quantification and qualification of the tourist services, quantification of the tourist potential of the region, and survey conclusions, at the end of this Study is given general conclusion and recommendations for harnessing the tourist potential of the target CBC region.

2 TOURIST-GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND CONNECTION OF THE CBC REGION

2.1 Geographic position

The territory of the eligible area for the cross-border programme covers total 6,377 km2 (1,811 km2 from the eastern side and 4,566 km2 from the western side of the border line), with a total population of 396,404 inhabitants (156,515 from the eastern side and 239,789 from the western side of the border line). The border line predominantly parallels the Adriatic coast and is 192 km long (in total), while for this project it is cca 50 km long. On land, the border extends cover terrestrial and water surface. The border traverses through the in a length of 23.275 km. The length of the border along rivers is 12.1 km, along the Black Drim River. The distance between the tripoints at the northern and southern ends of the western border measured in a straight line is 117.9 km, and the deviation coefficient of the border from the straight line is C = 1.63. Geographical coverage and size of the eligible IPA CBC Programme Area covers three NUTS-3 regions in each of the countries. The eligible cross-border area is determined in

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accordance with article 88 of the IPA implementing regulations where it is stated that NUTS level 3 or equivalent areas along land borders between beneficiary countries are eligible for cross-border programs. The eligible areas of the CBC target region in from this country consist of 2 equivalent statistical regions, South-west and Polog planning region. The South- west planning region covers the basin of Lake Ohrid and the catchment area of the river Treska. The Polog planning region includes the Polog Valley, the Mavrovo Plateau, the mountain massif Bistra and the Valley of the river Radika. Albania is divided into 12 regions, corresponding to NUTS level 3 equivalent. The eligible area of the CBC target region from this country consist of 1 equivalent region, Dibra Region. The CBC region consists of 6 municipalities including 105 settlements (3 towns and 102 villages).  South-west Region includes 9 municipalities1, but only 5 are part of this project: Ohrid, Struga, Debar, Vevcani, and Centar Zupa;  Polog Region includes 9 municipalities, but only one is part of this project, Mavrovo and Rostuse.  Dibra Region includes the districts of: , Diber, Bulquze and .

1 Regions of the Republic of Macedonia, 2018; http://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/RegionalenGodisnik2018.pdf

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Figure 2 Equivalent regions and municipalities which are part of this project The CBC eligible area between the two countries give great advantage for conducting international exchanges at the border crossings: Blato, -Dzepishte, Qafe Thane- Kafasan and Tushemisht-St. Naum, as well as an opportunity the Region to be visited from foreign tourists.

2.2 Geographical features Located in the southern part of Europe, the cross-border region has a contrasted geographic profile. It is dominated by the Dinaric group of mountains consisting of alpine- shape massifs which offer great possibilities for the development of tourism and wood industry, but also hampers the transport infrastructure and the communication between the two countries. Mount Korab (part of the Korab range, which is 2,764 m (9,068 ft) high and located in the east of the Diber County and west of the Polog Region on the border line is the highest peak in the project region. The cross-border region contains numerous natural monuments such as glacial lakes, glacial caves and spectacular canyons, like the canyons of Radika River, Mati River and Black Drim River. Another significant part of the cross-border region consists of valleys and plains, which differ in size, density of population, vegetation and altitude (from 130 to 880 m). The largest, and also more fertile plains, is the Ohrid-Struga plain.

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The fact that Lake Ohrid is a trans-boundary lake presents an additional challenge for its sustainable management. There are other natural and artificial lakes, located in the cross- border region, and they are: the Seven Lakes of Lura and Black Lake in the Dibra Region, one artificial lake-Lake Mavrovo in Polog Region, and two artificial lakes-Lake Globotchica and Lake Debar in South-west Region. The cross-border region enjoys a climate which diverges from transitional-continental in the north to Transitional-Mediterranean in the south and central parts. However, in the most mountain areas of these regions winters are cold and wet while summers are hot and dry. The temperatures in mountain areas along the border range from -16 to 36 degrees. Main cross-border issues related to the geographic features are:  The cross-border areas in both countries have the same geographic features, similar potentials for the development of natural resources and similar constraints related to the protection and the valorisations of these resources.  The two countries are sharing common valuable natural resources, particularly Ohrid Lake, mt.Korab and Jablanica and the river Black Drim.  Communication between the two countries is easier in the southern part (Pan European corridor VIII) than in the northern part, which is dominated by high mountains and where beneficiaries will have more difficulties in establishing partnerships and in defining joint projects.

2.3 Conections The European Corridor 8 that links the Adriatic-Ionian region with the eastern and Black Sea countries is the main road crossing in the cross-border region. It links Durres port, Tirana and Skopje, the cross-border point being located in the southern part of the region (Qafe Thane-Kafasan), connecting with Struga. It is expected that Corridor 8 will become a multi-modal transport system comprising sea ports, airports, roads and railways. So far, the section Gostivar-Skopje already has the status of a motorway. The road network that connects the two countries in the CBC target region, and the region with other countries are shown on next figure.

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Figure 3 Infrastructure connections of the Cross-border region The connections between east and west side of the CB region are through the following border crossings:  Blato (connects Diber-Debar), 5 km north-west of Debar,  Trebisht-Dzepishte (connects Diber-Debar),  Qafe Thane-Kafasan (connects Pogradec-Struga), on the road Tirana-Struga- Ohrid, 13 km south-west of Struga, and  Tushemisht-St. Naum (connects Pogradec-Ohrid), 29 km south of Ohrid. The South-west Region is connected with the other regions through the highway A2 (Skopje-Gostivar-Kicevo-Struga-boder crossing Qafe Thane-Kafasan) and the highway A3 (connection with A2-Ohrid-Resen). There is one international airport in this region, “St.Paul the Apostle Airport”, located 9 km north-west from Ohrid. More than 50 % of the traffic at this airport is covered by charter flights, which attests its tourism vocation. The proximity of the Skopje and Tirana airports is also a major asset for the cross-border region. With construction of the Ruga e Arbrit highway (the Arbr road), the length of the road to Tirana, through the Blato crossing near Debar, will be reduced by 100 kilometers and from about 180 will be 72 kilometers. With the construction of this highway, the port of Durres will

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be much closer to Debar, which will contribute to higher frequency in South-west Region and this will bring benefits in every aspect, not only for Debar, but also for the neighbouring municipalities of both sides of the border and beyond. The Polog Region has good roads and one highway (A2) that connects the region with other regions: Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar, and one railway line Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar-Kicevo. From this region the roads lead towards Mavrovo and Debar and towards Kosovo. The Polog Valley features a typical plain with an altitude of 400 to 500 meters and steeply elevated picturesque mountains that reach over 2,700 meters above sea level. Therefore, the border line is in high mountains and there is no border crossing that connects Polog Region with Dibra Region.The Dibra Region has national and metropolitan access to Tirana- road of 186 km in length, not in good condition; it has the main access to the Road of the Nation (Rruga e Kombit) Tirana-Pristina of 72 km in length, which is asphalted and to the national road Peshkopi-Kukës, and to the roads leading to South-west Region, through two border crossings, Blato and Trebisht-Dzepishte. Around 60% of the local roads in the eastern part of the CBC Region are coated with asphalt. The roads network of the country east of border line is in a good condition and meets the European standards. The road conditions in CBC region in Albania is the following: the southern axis Elbasan-Korce-Qafe Thane has been reconstructed and meets the European standards, but the northern axis Mat-Bulqize-Peshkopi is in a bad condition, hampering the commercial exchanges with the country east of border line. Most of the rural roads are paved with gravel. In both countries of the CBC Region, the railway transportation of goods and passengers is constantly increasing and there is a plan for an extension and modernization of the railway network and a construction of a railway connection between both countries of the CBC Region with through the Corridor 8.

2.4 Tourist position The Cross-border region can offer many different experiences from natural and cultural heritage, gastronomy, traditions, hospitality, historical sites, impressive landscapes etc. The region lies at a crossroads, where empires met, fought and combined to form a kaleidoscope of cultures unique in Europe, left their own indelible mark on the local architecture, cuisine, languages, music and traditions. The aroma of local food from the bazaars testifies to the fusion of East and West, while the region’s eclectic music and dance celebrate this rich heritage.

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There are many popular and famous tourist attractions in the region. Even though there are some internationally recognised attractions like the UNESCO world heritage. Ohrid is the best tourist destination in the country while cultural and leisure tourism are most common forms of tourism in Ohrid. So far tourism activities and infrastructures in the Cross-border region are mainly concentrated in the southern part of the country which is on eastern side of the border line, mostly in municipalities of Ohrid, Struga, and Vevcani, but the northern part also has a great potential and should gradually benefit from the dynamic launched in the south (exception is the municipality of Marovo and Rostuse). However, so far, the tourism industry is not at the same level of development in both countries. The situation in the western part of the CBC Region is drastically different. So far, the level of tourism in Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region is symbolic, which is the result of the conjunction of numerous factors: damaging of the forests; urban chaos; poor condition of infrastructure (roads, energy, water, sanitation); environmental problems; poor quality and, in general, low level of services and accommodation standards; unprofessional marketing and lack of information and tourist guides. Because of the unequal development of the tourism industry of the eastern and western part of the CBC Region it is necessary to define joint strategies and possibility for the transfer of know-how and good practices from the country on eastern part to the country on western part of the CBC Region. Table 1 Number of tourists in municipalities Debar, Mavrovo and Rostushe, Struga, and Ohrid, during the peak season (august), 2016-2018 August 2016 August 2017 August 2018

Number of Number Number Number of Number of Number of nights of of nights tourists nights spent tourists spent tourists spent Domestic 1 424 8 555 1 067 7 287 1 236 7 061 tourists DEBAR Foreign 406 2 176 373 1 928 697 2 916 tourists Domestic 722 1 564 803 1 683 921 2 376 MAVROVO tourists ROSTUSE Foreign 514 794 835 1 688 721 1 325 tourists Domestic STRUGA 10 429 80 667 9 920 81 425 14 303 106 911 tourists

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Foreign 6 365 30 795 6 739 33 636 8 234 31 190 tourists Domestic 27 820 212 306 30 103 222 037 31 550 234 411 tourists OHRID Foreign 17 899 54 426 27 567 83 970 31 340 101 014 tourists

From the table above it can be clearly seen that the overall tourism and number of tourist nights in the region have continually growing since 2016. Literature review has showed that it is not possible to assess the overall tourism and number of tourist nights in the Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region, because the available data according to the National Institute of Statistic (INSTAT) are shown for the whole country2. Aldo the authorities of the two countries are not using the whole tourist potential of the region, the location of Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo- Rostuse, on the east side of the border and Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region, on the west side of the border, are ideal for those inclined to explore, to discover the untouched, to feel the adrenalin, to be where rarely one has been, to see with the eyes of the eagle. The Cross-border region still represents an insufficiently explored destination in sustainable tourism terms. It can be concluded that the state of sustainable tourism offers which respects the environment and unique natural and cultural heritage of the place is on a low developed level.

4 FACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE CBC REGION Cross-border region must respond to the world movements and trends in tourism development, in order to be recognized not only on the European, but also on the world tourist market as an attractive tourist destination. This means that the focus should be on creating a unique identity of the destination, as an environmental friendly, establishing an active attitude towards visitors, developing new types of tourism and creating a rich supply as part of the trends that will differentiate this region from the others.

2 http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/en/DST/START__TU/?rxid=dde1cfa1-165b-4fba-9748- 6fb8f780a6be)

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To create conditions, the Region to develop into an attractive and competitive tourist destination, it is necessary first of all to analyse its comparative advantages. Comparative advantages are all those factors and elements that make it possible for a tourist destination to be in a position of advantage over other destinations and at the same time differentiate from them. These advantages are usually grouped into several groups such as human resources, natural resources, historical and cultural resources, knowledge, capital, and infrastructure. The comparative advantages of the tourist destination (in terms of tourist attractiveness) can also be classified into the following two groups3: - Exogenous comparative advantages, in which the source resources of the tourist destination belong as natural resources (climate, landscape, lakes, mountains, etc.), cultural and historical resources (history, music, art, folklore, archaeological sites, cultural monuments, architecture etc.), capital and investments as a prerequisite for infrastructure development and tourism superstructure. - Endogenous comparative advantages, which include human resources and resources of knowledge, i.e. availability, training and standards for all participants by tourist offer and technological innovation, i.e. creation of specific events, innovation in areas where information technology is applied etc. According to our research the main factors for tourism development in CB region are:

Natural tourist attractiveness

Demographic and Socio- economic factors MAIN Types of settlements and FACTORS their characteristics INFLUENCIN G TOURISM Cultural-historical and DEVELOPME archaeological heritage NT Religious factors

Other factors

Figure 4 Main factors influencing tourism development

3 Development and promotion of Ohrid region as attractive tourist destination-Master thesis.A.Leka 2015

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4.1 Natural attractiveness The geographical-natural position of the Cross-border region, represents one of the most important element with development potentials, with specific interest for potentials of tourism development. The natural attractions of tourist destinations in CB region are principal components which have the greatest impact and largely determine tourists' choice. The elements of natural resources incorporate hydrography, landscape, flora and fauna, climate, and other geographical features of the destination and its natural resources.  Nature For the municipalities Ohrid, Struga, Vevcani, Debar, Centar Zupa, and Mavrovo and Rostuse, landscape such as mountains, hills, wildlife species and water features (lakes, rivers and springs) are the most important destination attributes. The Polog Region is composed of the Polog Valley with the mountain massifs that surround it: Shar Mountain, Zeden, Suva Gora, the Mavrovo Plateau, the mountain massif Bistra and the valley of the Radika River. The Valley features a typical plain with an altitude of 400 to 500 m and steeply elevated picturesque mountains that reach over 2,700 m above sea level. There is a great geological, relief, climatic, floral and anthropogenic diversity. The region abounds with springs. The relief of Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region (Dibra Region) is composed of mountain lines, blocks and ridges, highlands and separated mountains, hills and river valleys, transverse and longitudinal and holes. Relief starts from 100-150 m height in some valleys in the west to 2,751 m in Korab. At heights above 1,600 m there is a well developed glacial landscape in the form of circuses, as Nezhda of Lura, Malesia e Martaneshit and in Korabi mountain line.4 Mati area, situated in the north-eastern part of the country, is one of the richest areas of the country in terms of natural resources. More than 60% of its territory is covered by forests and pastures, from the ancient-to a young age, with a large variety of biodiversity. Its overall territory lies on 1,028 km2, with an attractive natural landscape and very interesting relieves. Ulëz Shkopet is the area where there are the deepest and most important canyons of the country. Typical landscape is the Shkopeti ravine, 40 m deep. Alongside the border in the north, whithin Polog and Dibra Region:

4 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te- ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf

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 Mountain Korab Alongside the border in the north, whithin the Polog and Dibra Region, it is situated the Mountain Korab, which is one of the highest mountains in South-eastern Europe. Mount Korab is the higesht peak in the two neighbouring countries (2,764 m), and it is also the 18th most prominent mountain peak in Europe.5 It is located around the border triangle of Kosovo and the two neighbouring countries of the targeted region in our project. A kind of double peak, that of Mount Korab II (2,756 m), which almost reaches the same height, is about 150 m north- west of the Mount Korab. On the same ridge are two other peaks rising over 2,700 m, Shulani i Radomires and Korab III. North of the twin peaks are numerous other nameless, almost equally high rock towers.6

Figure 5 Mount Korab, Debar In Dibra Region it is called Mountain of Korabi. The 2 great heights at the direction north-east - south-west, namely Korabi and Korabi Gates, are divided among them by Stanet e Preshit Hole. Some of them have been transformed in small glacial lakes. (see Figure 6). Visitors of Korabi massive remain struck by breathtaking contrasts between heights and spikes of alpine origin, and valleys, slopes and deep holes.

5 http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/EuroCoreP1500m.html 6 http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/korab.nspx

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Figure 6 Mount Korabi, Dibra Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, breathtaking view points, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, glacial circles and lakes, stones, rocks, rock towers, meadows, pastures. Potential types of tourism: activity tourism (walking, cycling, riding); adventure tourism (rock climbing, kayaking, canyoing, mountain bike); nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: At Mount Korab, Shulani i Radomires, Korab III, Korab peak and surrounding peaks there are excellent terrain for skiing, adventure sports like rock, alpine climbing, ice climbing, toprope, hiking and cycling. East of the border (in north), whithin Polog Region:  National Park Mavrovo On the southern coast of the Mavrovo Lake is situated the largest national park in the country, the National Park Mavrovo (status of the protected area-first proclaimed in 1949, and then increased its boundaries in 1952). Within the boundaries of the park is located Tourist information center, where tourists can receive all the necessary information related to their stay and the park's offer. The whole western boundary of the Park follows the border line between the two neighbouring countries within the target CBC region, beginning from the Border Post Within the park are the Mavrovo Lake, the mountains Bistra, Desat and Korab. Mavrovo Lake: The Mavrovo Lake was created in 1947 and it is located at 1,200 m asl. It is bordered to the south by Bistra, to the north by Sar Planina and to the east by the slope Vlajnica. Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, breathtaking view, rich flora and fauna, pleasant climate, clean water. Potential types of tourism: activity, adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: Mavrovo Lake offer a wide range of activities around it, such as camping, cruising around the lake, walking, cycling. The natural beauty of the surrounding offer opportunity for siteseeing, not only in summer, but also during the winter, when te site of the lake and surrounding has breathtaking view. The lake is suitable for kayaking and SUP board. In the Mavrovo Lake it is possible fishing for sports and recreational purposes. Mountain Bistra and Ski Centre Mavrovo: Within the NP Mavrovo, at the Mountain Bistra, is the Ski Centre Mavrovo (1,270 m above the sea level) (see Figure 7).

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Figure 7 Mavrovo Ski Centre At the centre are actively practiced several sports and recreational activities such as: skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, cycling, hunting, fishing, etc. Several cable cars and ski slopes are concentrated here, there are also two larger weekend settlements, as well as the largest number of accommodation facilities and high-level catering facilities in the region. At the same time winter events are organized, and especially well-known is “Mavrovo Memorial”, which is visited by thousands of domestic and foreign tourists.

Figure 8 Mountain Bistra Mountain Bistra has a variety of geomorphological surface and underground relief forms, such as: the glacial relief, depressions, hollows, karst fields, lost rivers, caves, abysses, river springs, canyons and other. Tourist-Recreational Zones (TRZ) within the park: there are 4 TRZ in the Park: - Tourist-Recreational Zone Mavrovsko Ezero Lake The Mavrovsko Ezero Lake tourist-recreational zone encompasses the areas of: , Bunetz, Mavrovo ski terrains, Leunovo, Nikiforovo with the ski terrains Sandaktash and Kichinitsa. - Tourist-Recreational Zone Radika Within this zone are: The Upper Radika Area with the localities Rech and Adzina Reka River, The Lower Radika Area and Mavrovska Reka River with the locality Trnitsa, the

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Monastery Sveti Jovan Bigorski (St. John the Baptist) and the villages Janche and Galichnik, Korab Mountain Area with the villages Tanushe, Ribnitsa, Zhuzhnje, the ski terrains bellow Golem Korab and from Shilovert to Lukovo Pole and Deshat Mountain Area with the villages Zhirovnitsa and Bitushe. - Tourist-Recreational Zone Bistra Within the zone are: Area and Seltse, Rosoki and Tresonche Area. - Touristic Sites and Landscapes for short visits and excursions are: Within the zone are: Mala and Golema Korabska Vrata Passes, Kabash with Rosi Rimnits, The Canyon Guri Vran on the Dlaboka Reka River, The Canyon Barich, The Canyons at mid and lower flow of the Radika River. Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, breathtaking view, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, glacial relief, depressions, hollows, karst fields, lost rivers, caves, abysses, river springs, canyons. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: At NP Mavrovo and Mountain Bistra there are a lot of tourist-recreational zones with ski terrains, a lot of tourist sites that should be visited. The tourist offer in the region is very rich, and for all tastes. There are a large number of accommodation facilities and high- level catering facilities. The National Park has many trails that can be used for walking, running, and mountain running in the summer and enjoying the beautiful nature of the area. There is also possibility for paragliding. The mountain is suitable for mountaineering, hiking, running and mountain biking. It is also possible horse riding and climbing. At the same time winter events are organized in the park. Some villages in the park are with authentic look, that are offering food prepared from local products. Also some sport events and manifestations, such as Galicka Wedding, that are interesting cultural event to be part of it. The passionate hunters can hount in hounting grounds of NP Mavrovo. In the vicinity of Mavrovo there are a lot of churches and monasteries that can be visited. In the Polog Region, there are several mountain lakes, eight on the mountain Korab, the most famous of which are the Korab and Kobilino Lake. On the Deshat Mountain there are five - Sveta Nedela, Lokuf and other, and on Stogovo, there are three - Gorno, Dolno and Marusha.7

7 http://npmavrovo.org.mk/?page_id=67&lang=en

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East of the border (in south), whithin South-west Region: Ohrid Lake together with mt. Galicica make a natural whole that is connected with the cultural, historical and natural heritage.

Figure 9 Ohrid Lake and Galicica This area includes Studencisko marsh near Ohrid and the remains of the Struga marsh between Kalista Radolista and Struga. The Jablanica Mountain is part of this region, which is proposed for a protected area with a National Park status that includes more than one smaller areas: Vevcani Springs, Pitu Kosten - Gorna Belica, Ela - Vevcani, Dracenicka River and Lukovo. The Mountain range of Galicica was created by tectonic shifts in the Paleozoic period (cca 300 million years ago) and is rising up right between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. This unique interaction of geology, morphology and climatic conditions resulted in establishing an ecosystem with high biological diversity. Over a thousand plant species can be found in this unique climate, 14 of which are endemic only to this mountain. During the spring and the summer season over 160 species of butterflies flies around the mountain. The Mountain is also a sanctuary for 124 species of birds, 19 mammals, 18 reptiles and 10 amphibians. But yet, the truen trademark and the spirit of the mountain is the Lynx (Lynx lynx martinoi) - Balkan Lynx. Tourist attractiveness: natural beautiful lanscape, unique climate, very rich flora and fauna, clean water of water courses within the NP Galicica, glacial cirques, caves, clean springs, clean and fresh mountain air, very rich cultural, historical and natural heritage. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism). Note: Ohrid Lake is suitable for sailing, swimming, diving or cruising, and fishing. Around the lake there are a range of cultural-historical and natural heritage that should be visited. The natural beauty of the Black Drim springs breathtaking. Mountain Galicica is craggy mountain where nature lovers and mountaineers can admire the impressive glacial cirques, caves etc. The mountain give opportunity for mountaineering, hiking, alpinism, mountain biking. The highest peaks on Mountain Galicica

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can be seen with paraglider. On mountain is possible parachute adventure. The park is rich with cultural-historical heritage that should be seen. CBC region in Albania: Dibra area, with its natural, cultural and historical assets and resources, has all the capacities and opportunities to be transformed in a tourist destination, which naturally brings about harmonization of all details which will induce visitors who like nature,and who are exploring history in all its greatness, or prefers to understand traditions in their profound sense, to return and visit the area again. The area comprises a considerable part of national Park Shebenik-Jabllanica, protected landscape (PL) of Mali me Gropa-Bulqiz- , natural monuments. The area offers all opportunities for a visitor to combine physical, cultural and historical activities with a traditional local food, prepared biologically. Yet, being the area one of the richest in the country in terms of natural assets and resources in terms of biodiversity, landscape, climate, history and culture, it has all the potentials to promote such heritage and make it available to tourism development; should this promotion be done effectively, with rich natural parks, beautiful landscape and mountainous and glacial lakes. Area constitutes an excellent basis for all those who love to explore nature, enjoy mountains and their extraordinary magic, forests with their breathtaking beauty, as well as lakes (there are altogether some 23 glacial lakes) and rivers, together with tasting food from Dibra tradition combined with attention and curiosity to understand and know traditions, habits and history of the region. West of the border (in north), whithin Dibra Region:  Kalaja e Dodës Kalaja e Dodës is situated in the northern part of Dibra Region, it extends over an area of 7,990 ha, halfway the road which connects Peshkopi-Kukës, located at the feet of the Mountain of Korabi (entirely mountainous landscape, start at 700 m above sea level, reaching quota 2,500 m). It has a magnificent landscape, with forests, pastures and a little agriculture land (see Figure 10). This area with magical beauty is also renowned for its flora which includes naturally grown pants such as: salepi, blackberries, balsam, wild rose, etc.

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Figure 10 Kalaja e Dodës Kalaja e Dodës since ages has been distinguished for its spiritual, patriotic and cultural values. It used to be considered as the entry gate of Korabi, through legendary mountains, purity through its crystal waters, hospitality of people who reflect positivity together with the rich variety of traditions, costumes and culture. Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, breathtaking view, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, crystal waters, magnificent landscape, forests, pastures, rich flora. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), gastronomic tourism. Note: Kalaja e Dodes have spiritual, patriotic and cultural values. It has magnificent beautiful landscape with cristal waters, so, it is a location worth to be seen. The possibility of cultural tourism development is obvious, which is due to traditions, costumes and culturel values. Typical local food, always part of local culinary tradition, is grilled lamb, “flija” (a version of pie) especially prepared in a large pen, local sweets such as baklava and sarmat.  Fusha e Panairit (Field of Fair) Field or Hole of Panair, which have the shape of a giant amphitheater, is situated at 2,115 m above sea level. The landscape is gorgeous, it is “crowned” by Korabi height, whereas the field has the shape of a stadium on top of which gushes the coldest water ever coming from any source in the country. Tourist attractiveness: magnificent landscape, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, crystal and coldest waters, natural shape of a giant amphitheater, glacial circle and small lakes, alpine pastures, rocks. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism)

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Note: The Field of Fair has magnificent beautiful landscape with cristal and coldest water ever coming from any source in the country. The area possibility can be seen in walking, hiking, eventualy mountaineering.  Rafshi i Korabit (Korabi Plateau) Before reaching the Fair site, visitor will have to cross the Korabi plateau. This place has historically served as connecting bridge between people from Kalaja e Dodes and from the other side of the border (from targeted area and Kosovo), which was a reson for locals to dedicate a plenty of folklore such as songs or legends. In summer time, the plateau is filled with barns and small ruminant flocks. This field situated north of the mountain, has clear connotations of a meadow some three km long. Apart from clean and fresh air and stunning beauty, the plateau offers also perfect conditions for skiing or other winter sports. The plateau has at least 6 months of snow. It takes around one hour from Radomire village, to reach Korabi plateau. Tourist attractiveness: stunning beauty, mountain climate, clean and fresh air Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: The Korabi Plateau has magnificent beauty with clean and fresh air. The locals dedicate a plenty of folklore such as songs or legends, which is a base for cultural tourism. The area possibility can be seen in walking, hiking, mountaineering, and in winter skiing or other winter sports.  Gropa e Staneve, e Preshit (Hole of Barns, of Preshi) Hole of Barns and Preshi, lies at south-west of Radomire village. It displays a stretched shape and is wider than Field of Fairs. There are specific formations reaching Radomire village. At the lower part of the formation, there are five glacial lakes which are drying up, but still maintain their value. Tourist attractiveness: specific formations, glacial lakes, clean and fresh air. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: Hole of Barns and Preshi create specific formations reaching Radomire village, which is on mountain Korab, where ther is a clean and fresh air. The area possibility can be seen in walking, hiking, mountaineering.  Porta e Korabit (Korabi Gate) The other height of the mountain is the one of Korabi gates, which distinguished by Korabi top from the pass of the same name (2,475 m high). This mountain has two heights of

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more than 2,700 meters, separates Hole of barns of Preshi in north-east from Mountain of Shehu in south-west. The later, different from the 2 above mentioned holes, has been deepened so mush by the Veleshica creek that is currently shaped as a valley. The eastern side of Korabi heights has some formation of navel karst. Freezing of many seasons have caused down pouring of stones to the end of valleys. The more the visitor moves towards Mountain of Grames, as part of this magnificent ensemble, landscape become lower. Tourist attractiveness: magnificent landscape, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, navel karst, creek, stones, glacial. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: The Korab Gates, which is 2,475 m high, has been deepened so mush by the Veleshica creek that is currently shaped as a valley. The landscape is magnificent, and surrounding peaks there are terrain for mountaineering, hiking, skiing, and other winter adventure sports climbing or maybe ice climbing.  Mountain of Sorokol Across from Korabi Mountain, on its northern side, is located mountain of Sorokol, which, as a consequence of tectonic displacements, is divided into two parts. The Sorokoli mountain ridge, is modelled by a neogenic surface, thus creating a soft almost flat relieve, where the most stunning part if Perroi I Lushit (Lushi’s Creek). This creek is famous for the beauty of its spring flowers as well as for the rich biodiversity and especially rare species of plants and animals. Tourist attractiveness: magnificent landscape, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, creek, rich biodiversity with rare speciec. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: The landscape is magnificent, the terrain is suitable for mountaineering, hiking. Summer offers walking as an activity, and the most stunning part Lushi’s Creek, which is famous for the beauty of its spring flowers, should be seen in summer.  Lura Lura is a touristic area which combines beauties of the lakes, high mountains and large meadows filled with a colorful variety of flowers. This place can offer a lot throughout all months of the year. In winter season, Lura offers, beside wonderful natural landscapes and tall green pines trees, also white satin snow which at mountain slopes and numerous valleys, provides suitable spots for exercising ski sports.

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Figure 11 Lura National Park Lura: In Lura is located National Park Lura, with overall surface of 1,280 ha, 55 km away from Peshkopia town, and also could be reached via Kurbnesh village (30 km away). It lies on the southern side of mountain chain known as “Kunora e Lurës” (Lura Crown), also named by locals as “Nezhda e Lurës”, with heights varying from 1,350-1,720 m above sea level (see Figure 12).

Figure 12 Lura National Park Flora of National Park Lura is dominated by old oak trees (which can be seen on the figure above), but one also finds other species like rrobull, black pine, fir trees, white and red armen, maple trees, etc. Fauna of the area is also pretty rich with typical animals like grey bear, lynx, wild goat, marten, roe deer, rooster, owl, etc. Both lynx and roe deer are species of European interest as endangered species; this fact increases the importance of the National Park Lura in general. National Park Lura includes 14 glacial lakes, situated among coniferous forests with high trees, and rocky massive, 7 of which exist all year long. Tourist attractiveness: natural beautiful lanscapes, tourist location with glacial lakes, high mountains and large meadows filled with a colorful variety of flowers, valleys, rich flora and fauna, rocks. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism)

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Note: Lura has wonderful natural beautiful landscape, forests with high trees, and rocky massive, where 14 glacila lakes are situated. The relief offers mountaineering, walking and hikin, and in winter season provides suitable spots for exercising ski sports.  Parks of Mati area - National Park of Qafë Shtama Protected area which lies at the boundaries of the National Park of Qafë Shtama (given the status of national park in 1966), has an overall surface of 20 km2, situated around 25 km north-east of Kruja town and some 20 km south-west of town. The area borders to the south with Bovilla watershed and is ecologically much related to it. The whole area is distinguished for its natural resources and pristine forests National Park of Zall Gjoçaj This is a small park, but together with the surrounding area and Lura Park, represents a rich source of biodiversity and many habitats together with a rich flora and fauna (its current surface is 14,000 ha). Among many others, there are forests of pines, rrobull, nuts, oak along with endemic and sub-endemic species, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, many creeks and characteristic fauna. Regional Park Ulëz Regional Park of Ulëz covers a surface of 4.206 ha and is located in the area from the dam of Shkopeti HEC, along the heights, slopes and hills along the boundary line with Mirdita region, together with the Territory of Ulza Lake. This park includes also 2 lakes: Ulza and Shkopet, not only as important sites for biodiversity preservation, but also with great potentials for ecotourism development. - Park “Mother Queen Geraldinë” Among the nicest tourist attractions of Mati territory, there is also Park “Mother Queen Geraldine”, with a surface of 2.4 ha. The park includes a rich biodiversity of multiannual trees originating from many countries of the world (Africa, Asia, etc). Park is also renowned for its cultural values as it features monuments of historical personalities of Mati, city mosque, palace of Culture, etc. Tourist attractiveness: natural beautiful lanscape, sources, natural resources, pristine forests, glacial lakes, alpine meadows, creeks, rich flora and fauna, lakes, heights, slopes and hills, monuments of historical personalities of Mati. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism.

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Note: The parks within the Mati area have wonderful natural beautiful landscape, pristine forests with natural resaurces, a lot of deverse flora and fauna, some characteristic fauna (for National Park of Zall Gjoçaj), that makes them locations that should be visited in summer. The possibilities are walking, siteseeing, with great potentials for ecotourism development Regional Park Ulëz (within are 2 lakes which are important sites for biodiversity preservation). Because of cultural values of Park “Mother Queen Geraldinë” (it features monuments of historical personalities of Mati, city mosque, palace of Culture, etc.), the park is suitable for cultural and religious tourism.  Climate Relief features in vicinity of the Adriatic sea and cyclonic and anticyclonic centers in Europe as well as the lake are factors that directly affect the climate in this South-west Region (Ohrid, Struga, Vevcani). The region is characterized by different climatic conditions. There can be distinguished continental climate areas, areas with typical mountain climate features and areas with modified Mediterranean moderate - continental features. Mediterranean influence is especially present in Ohrid and Struga Valley, a certain influence can be discerned in the valley of the Crn Drim River. Mountain climate with typical features comes in heights greater than 1,000 m. The region is characterized by great windy conditions that affect the quality of life in this region. Famous winds occur from northern and western direction in Debar Valley and Zupa Valley. In Ohrid Valley a local winds appears with one day period of duration. Among them famous are the winds Stremec, Veternik, Belichki, Sever and Gornik.8 Mavrovo and Rostushe, Debar, Centar Zupa have a typical continental climate with special temperature specificities with hot summers and cold winters, with a sharp transition from winter to summer.9 Due to specific physical-geographic and orographic conditions, related with the altitude, on the territory of the National Park Mavrovo, the following types of climate is present:  600-900 m: A belt of warm continental climate, with average annual air temperature from 80C to 100C, and annual average sum of precipitations from 800 mm to 900 mm.  900-1,100 m: A belt of cold continental climate, with average annual air temperature from 70C to 80C, and annual average sum of precipitations from 800 mm to 900 mm.

8 Analysis-of-the-Employment-Trends-in-South-West-Planning-Region-and-Possibilities-for- Employment; http://predaplus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1. 9 https://npmavrovo.org.mk/?page_id=103&lang=en

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 1,100-1,300 m: A belt of sub-mountain continental climate, with average annual air temperature from 5.50C to 70C, and annual average sum of precipitations from 900 mm to 1,250 mm.  1,300-1,650 m: A belt of mountain continental climate, with average annual air temperature from 3.00C to 5.50C, and annual average sum of precipitations of 1,250 mm.  1,650-2,250 m: A belt of sub-alpine climate, with average annual air temperature from -1.00C to 30C, and annual average sum of precipitations of 1,250 mm.  2,250-2,764 m: A belt of alpine climate, with average annual air temperature from - 5.00C to -10C, and annual average sum of precipitations of 1,250 mm. Climate of Mati Valley is close to the country’s average, it belongs to Mediterranean climate belt, typically with hot and dry summers, with great sunshine, and relatively mild winters in valley and rather harsh in the mountain belt. The annual average temperature at Mati Valley is close to 140C. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 240C, with the January being the coldest with average temperature from +40C up to 00C. Sunny days count for more than 88-90% of the overall days of year. Climate of the area is medium continental with hot and dry summer and cold and wet winters. The annual average of rainfalls is around 1,260 mm; the months with more intensive rainfalls are February, March, November and December. Snow is part of the mountain landscape of Mati area during the coldest 3-4 months of the year. Winds blow mainly from north-east with the wind speed varying from 25-45 m/s. Bulqiza lies in pre-mountain and mountainous Mediterranean climate zones, and therefore the area is battered by cold winter with temperatures often below 00 C with little rainfalls. Multiannual average temperature is 11.40 C, the multiannual average temperature of July is 19.30 C, whereas of the month of January is 1.10 C, the highest registered temperature is 380 C while the lowest registered is -220 C. Level of precipitations in this area is below country’s average. The multiannual annual average reaches 1,187 mm/year. The dampest season of the year is winter (namely December). Driest months are July and August. Climate of the area is very cold, related not only to high altitude above sea level, but also with strong winds blowing. Given area’s morphology, with open entry from east, area is known for its dry continental wind from Black Drin River, together with “murlan”, a typical strong wind of the area. This strong wind is channeled, acquires strength and continues to Mati valley, encountering no obstacles by Qafa e Buallit ravine due to the low altitude of the later. For such reason Bulqiza valley and Qafa e Buallit are almost always windy.

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Note: there are different types of climates, which are relation to the relief, geographical positioning. All types of climate are attractive for different types of tourism that can be developed.

 Hydrography CBC region in North Macedonia: In its hydrographic structure, the region has numerous water sources, lakes, rivers and small tributaries that belong to the sub-source of the Treska River and the Black Drim.  Lakes: Ohrid Lake (see Figure 13) is the largest and most important natural lake in the country of the East side of the border

Figure 13 Ohrid Lake The lake covers an area of 358.2 km² and a length of 30.8 km, while the widest width is 14.8 km. Its depth reaches 289 m. Located at an altitude of 695 meters. In the basin of Ohrid Lake belong 40 rivers, 23 on the territory of the left west of the border and 17 on the territory of the east side of the border. On the east side of the border, the best known are oriental sources in Studencishta, known as Biljani springs, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Ohrid, as well as springs near the monastery of St. Naum, 29 km south of the city. * * tourist attractiveness and potential types of tourism were assessed above, together with the Mountain Galicica. Trebenista Lake is a natural lake located on the east of the village Trebenista about 1 km from the village center. The length is about 200 m and the width is about 80 m. The maximum depth is about 5 m, accumulates about 30,000 m3 water. In the lake it is poured a stream that came from Gorno Pole from the eastern side, and from the lake a stream flowing from the skating rink where, even before the creation of the lake, the stream flowed and it flows into the channel of the Sateska River. This lake is famous for fishing carps. Tourist attractiveness: natural beautiful lanscape, stream, rich with carps.

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Potential types of tourism: activity, adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism) Note: The Lake is rich with carps, so, it is known by and suitable for fishing carps. Around the lake there are a range of natural beauty that should be visited. The possibility beside fishing is walking in the vicinity in summer, in oder to enjoy the beauty of the area. Ostrovo Lake is located along the southern shore of Lake Ohrid near the monastery of St. Naum. It was created by lowering the level of Lake Ohrid, where the former was flooded the action of the waves is gradually closed with a coastal wall around 10 m wide. The lake is long 220 m, wide 140 m, and the deepest depth is 3.5 m. Between the lake Ostrovo and Ohrid lake, there is a short surface water course with a length of 12 m. They are considered as springs of the Black Drim River.

Figure 14 Ostrovo Lake These springs (from 45 discovered springs, 30 are underwater), are home of endemic flora and fauna like spices of alga with violet color and the most specific small water turtles, which are very rare and can be seen from June to October. Tourist attractiveness: natural magnificent lanscape, rich flora and fauna (endemic species), crystal clear water of springs, area rich with cultural-historical heritage. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism. Note: The springs are extremely rich with flora and fauna like spices of alga with violet color and the most specific small water turtles, which are very rare. The magnificent natural beauty of the springs, as well as the St. Naum Monastry, makes this location a must to visit

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place when you are visiting Ohrid. The whole area is reach with narural beauty and cultural- historical heritage. Located about 14 kilometers North-west from Struga, the village of Vevcani is home to one of the biggest natural attractions in the Balkans-the Vevcani springs (see Figure 15).

Figure 15 Vevcani springs Right at the foot of Jablanica Mountain, it rests at an altitude that isolates this picturesque village, making it a one place stop for many outdoor activities. The largest one is located at the opening of one of the many caves that you can find in the region. The springs are isolated by a very dense forest from the sides, with wooden bridges over a very rocky terrain where the water flows. There are a lot of glacial lakes scattered around, not so high in the mountains, within small valleys, filled with crystal clear water. Lokva, located the highest, is the main provider of water to the Galina spring. Tourist attractiveness: natural magnificent lanscape, rich flora and fauna around the springs, crystal clear water of springs, caves, glacial lakes. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism Note: The springs has magnificent natural beauty; they are making waterfalls. They are in the village of Vevcani, which is rural area that offer local traditional food. The nature is an asset, but also the event that is held in the village, Vevcanski Carneval, makes them a must see location. Debar Lake (Lake Spilje) is artificial lake built on the river Crn. Debar Lake has a length of 330 m and a width of 10 m. The total length of the lake is 22 km, average width is 0.6 km, and the biggest depth is 94 m. Occupying an area of 13.2 km2 and accumulates 520 million m3 water this lake is famous pace for fishing.

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Figure 16 Debar Lake Tourist attractiveness: calm natural magnificent lanscape, rich flora and fauna, clear water of lake. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism). Note: The calm magnificent natural beauty of the Debar Lake makes it suitable for sport tourism and recreational fishing. The lake also offers ideal conditions for sports in peaceful waters like: rowing, kayaking on calm waters, canoeing. The beauty of surrounding is suitable for walking. Lake Globocica is artificial lake built on the river Crn Drim. The dam was built in 1965 year, located about 20 km north-west of Struga. The lake is 12 km long, has an area of 2.7 km2 and accumulates water of 58 million m3. This lake is famous for recreational fishing. The artificial lake Sum could be found in the village of Sum near the town of Struga, approximately 5 km away from the city center. It was created by building a dam with a length of 65 meters. The lake is located at an altitude of 702 m and has a total area of approximately 2 hectares. The largest length is 180 m, the smallest length is 65 m and the average depth is about 2 m. Tourist attractiveness: artificial lanscape, rich flora and fauna, clear environment. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness tourism) Note: The lakes are suitable for recreational fishing. The surrounding is suitable for walking. Mavrovo Lake is an artificial lake in the north-western part of the country at 1,200 m above sea level (see figure below). It is 10 km long, 5 km wide, and 50 m deep.

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Figure 17 Mavrovo Lake Above the lake, high deciduous and coniferous forests are rising on all sides, which are reflected in the clear lake water. They give it a special beauty and appearance. Until 1947, at the site of today's Mavrovo Lake, there was the Mavrovo Basin through which the Mavrovo River flowed. Then the way to Radika of the river was closed at the exit of the valley with a large earthen dam. Thus the valley began to be filled with water, and in its place the Mavrovo Lake was created. * * tourist attractiveness and potential types of tourism were assessed above, together with the Mountain Bistra.  Rivers: The river Crn Drim flows from St. Naum, passes through the Ohrid Lake and exits from it at the city of Struga at an altitude of 695 meters. In the village of Tasmarunista the river forms the accumulation Globocica, and before the entrance to the city of Debar, the river forms Debar Lake. Radika has clean, clear and cool water with a dark green color that is a consequence of calcium carbonate in it. Radika is the only river bifurcation in Macedonia, which gives water to two plums, the Adriatic and Aegean basin. With channels part of the waters of Radika are brought to the Mavrovo Lake and filled with water, and from here with underground tunnels in Vardar. The Sateska river flows into the mountainous part of Debrca, in the bosom of Planczenska and Ilinska Mountain. Flowing through the valley of Debrca, it collects water from the larger tributaries: Slatinska, Mramorečka river, and others, then to break through and through the Bottun ravine to penetrate Struga valley where it runs until its inflow into the Black Drim, that is, the Lake Ohrid. Tourist attractiveness: clean and clear cold waters, rich flora and fauna, clear environment.

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Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism). Note: The rivers are rich with flora and fauna, especially fishes, so they are suitable for fishing. The picturesque canyons of the rivers and beautiful and clean surrounding is making them interesting to be visited by walking. CBC region Albania (Dibra Region): Dibra Region has also 12 hydric monuments also known as Hydromonuments. These priceless natural resources, increase very much the importance of the area, not only from beaty aspects, but aslo from value they bear. Dibra Region is characterized by large water richnesses. It is crossed by two major rivers: Black Drin and Mat. Numerous underground springs emerge especially on the left side of the valley of the Black Drin. In Lura National Park (Nezhda of Lura) and in Martanesh (Malesia e Martaneshit) there are found some glacial lakes.10  Lakes: The glacial lakes in Lura National Park are the biggest attraction and the most important part of the park with a stunning beauty that lies 1,600 m above sea level and have an overall surface of 100 ha. The most amazing sights are the Great Lake (Liqeni i Madh), with a surface of 32 ha, Pine Lake (Liqeni i Pishës), with a surface of 13 ha, Black Lake (Liqeni i Zi), with a surface of 8 ha (see Figure 18), the deepest lake of the park is the Flower Lake (Liqeni i Luleve), with a surface of 4 ha (see Figure 19), among others.11

Figure 18 Black Lake The Black Lake, is situated among green and vivid forests, immersed in nature, surrounded all over by tall trees. The place looks as blessed by Gods, who turned it into a dream

10 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te- ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf 11 https://www.intoalbania.com/attraction/lura-national-park/

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oasis same as the story it bears. Lake offers indeed a magnificent view, being at the same time beautiful, surprising, relaxing and peaceful.12 Great Lake is distinueshed for its clean water, and a rich flora and fauna. In summer time lake waters are covered by big white lilies.

Figure 19 Flower Lake Flower Lake is distinguished for its beauty; typical characteristic appears in summer, when its surface is covered by white and pink lilies which blossom in June. Tourist attractiveness: natural magnificent lanscape, amazing sights, magnificent view, rich flora and fauna, blossom lilies, clear water of lakes. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism). Note: The amazing sights of glacial lakes in Lura National Park are the biggest attraction of the park. They have magnificent view, they are rich with flora and fauna, surrounded by magnificent vegetation. In summer two lakes are covered by blossom lilies: Great Lake is covered by big white lilies and Flower Lake is covered by white and pink lilies, which makes them very attractive for sightseeing. There is possibility for fishing as well.  Sources: Ujëvara e Pocestës në Maqellarë (Waterfall of Pocesta in Maqellara) is situated in Deshati Mountain 1,500 m above sea level. Water comes out from a 13 m high crack. Uji i Ftohtë (Vleshë) (Cold Water) located close to Vleshe Village, 800 meters above sea level. “Cold water” is a source, from which flows cold ice water and rich in some mineral salts. Feeds vary from 70 to 80 l/s during the summer, while in winter they reach up to 100 l/s.

12 http://akzm.gov.al/apps/akzm_cd/Diber/DI_Mon/DI_19.htm

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What makes this source special is the great curative properties, especially for persons suffering from rheumatism.13 Burimi karstik i Kërçinit (Carstic Source of Kercini) is close to Karcin Village, 1,670 m above sea level. It gushes aout from contacts between limestone and terrigens formations. Kroi i Mbretit (King’s Source) is situated close to Serakol Village, 1,200 m above sea level. It gushes aout from contacts between calcium and terrigens formations. Burimi termomineral i Llixhave të Peshkopisë (Thermomineral source of Peshkopia Spa) is located close to Peshkopia town, at the valley of Banja creek. It has been created thanks to tectonic movements. Waters of temperature close to 4000C, salts and diluted gas can cure reumathism, arthrithis and polyarthrithis. Lately, there have been increasing investment in the spa. Burimet e Bellovës (Sources of Bellova) are located in the anonimus village, in commune. These are carstic sources. Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, cold and clear water of springs. Potential types of tourism: health and welness tourism. Note: The springs and the whole area is reach with narural beauty. The springs have cold and clear water. Uji i Ftohtë (Cold Water) is distinguished by others with its curative properties, especially for persons suffering from rheumatism, so there is a possibility for curative (spa) tourism development.  Hydromonuments in Mat: Kroi i Gjeneralit (General’s Source) is situated close to Vakëf of Gur I Bardhe Village, commune Xiber, 850 m above sea level. It’s a carstic source, with clean and cold water. Burimi i Shutresë (Shutreja Source) close to Uraka Valley and Laci Village, commune, 230 m above sea level. Its is a carstic source, with clean and cold water, from the contacts of calcium formation with terigens, used as potable water, irrigation, etc. Creek of “Nënës Mbretëreshë” (Mother Queen) is situated in the Natioanl Park Qafë Shtamë, some 1,100 m above sea level, among thick and dense pine forests. It is listed as part of monuments of country’s nature (hydromonuments). Water from Qafe-Shtana sources is believed to be light, poor in salts but quite rich in magnesium. The creek with the same name is also part of country’s nature monuments. Today there was built a curing center for lung diseases as well as a factory for bottling potable water.

13 http://27.al/diber-uji-i-ftohte-qe-sheron-paralizen-fotovideo/

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Despite difficult access to the area and the need for of-the-road vehicles, the area attracts many visitors. The Government of the country intends to extend the protected area, so as to include Scanderbeg Mountain as well. This might mean an opportunity for local inhabitants, so they could dedicate more to their properties and develop them instead of moving to the the nearby cities looking for jobs. Tourist accommodation facilities for visitors are of alpine type, together with guest-houses built or renovated by locals. Valca wells are located north of Macukulli village, north-east of Kalivac neighbourhood, some 2,5 km away from Kalivaci tunnels in the middle of meadows and beautiful pastures of Valca. These pastures which have a water source built hudreds of years ago, 1-1.5 m wide, 5-12 m deep, filled with water all year long. The sources are currently without any maintenance, they need renovation, protection fitting to their purpose. Puset e Valcës (Valca Wells) are located north-west of center of Macukulli Village, from the commune with the same name of Mati region, some 900 m above sea level, in a territory composed of calcium formation of upper crate, where carst process has been developped vigorously; such process has created a landscape of a negative carsti forms, mainly narrow and deep wells, yet to be explored. Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, cold and clear water of springs. Potential types of tourism: health and wellness tourism. Note: The springs and the whole area is reach with narural beauty. The springs have cold and clear water. Creek of “Nënës Mbretëreshë” (Mother Queen) - the water sources is believed to be light, poor in salts but quite rich in magnesium. There was built a curing center for lung diseases as well as a factory for bottling potable water, so, this can be possibility for curative (spa) tourism development.  Hydromonuments in Bulqiza: Bulqiza features a very rich hydrographic network. The main river flowing through its territory, is Black Drin, which flows for 6.85 km within Bulqiza Municipality territory. Its source is in Ohrid Lake, after, its flow continues through Struga town through many narrow passes, to end up in Splile Bridge. The main arteria of the river, once crossed state borders, is known as Zalli i Bulqizës (Bulqiza Gravel). Zalli i Bulqizës, (Bulqiza Gravel) whose source comes from Balgjaj Lakes, serve as bad of many small brooks, the most prominent of which are 2, notably Okshtuni and Dushaj. This river has its riverbed length of 46.5 km, surface of watershed basin is close to 484 km2, average height is 1,150 m and the speed downfall of waterflow is 25 m/km.

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Përroi i Okshtunit (Okshtuni Brook) has its origin in the array of mountain creeks downflowing from north-eastern heights of Miraka mountain (1,751 m) and Kaptinë (1,873 m). Përroi i Dushaj (Dushaj Brook) is created from the unification of small creeks coming down from eastern ravines of Lopa mountain (2,020 m) as well as from the western part of Alaman mountain (2,097 m). Tri Çezmat e Zerqanit (Three Zerqani Taps) situated between Krajke and Sofracan Villages, commune, 700 m above sea level is also known as Hudhra e Priftit (Water of Priest). Zerqani Taps are carstic sources, which create a very attractive and relaxing complex. Gurra dhe shpella e Zerqanit (Source and Cave of Zerqani), situated close to Zerqani Village, 900 m above sea level. Gurra e Vakëfit të Zerqanit (Source of Zerqani Shrine) is also close to Zerqani Village, 850 meters above sea level. Ujëvara e Duriçit (Durici Waterfall) is situated in the northern side of Kaptina of Martaneshi Mountain. Water which feeds this waterfall originated from Black Lake. The water falls from 20 m high. Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, cold and clear water of springs. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness and environmental tourism) Note: The springs and the whole area is reach with narural beauty. The springs have cold and clear water. The surrounding area of Source and Cave of Zerqani is a reserve for growing canarines, partridges, and Eurasian jay. This open possibility for development of nature-based tourism

4.2 Demographic and socioeconomic factors

 North Macedonia: The demographic characteristics of the regions in the country east of the border are given in the next table: Table 2 Basic demographic indicators for the period of 2015-201714 Region Polog Region South-west Region Year 2015 2016 2017 2015 2016 2017 Total population 319,916 320,560 321,199 219,891 219,732 219,702

14 Regions of the Republic of Macedonia, 2018; http://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/RegionalenGodisnik2018.pdf

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Male 161,005 161,320 161,636 110,330 110,236 110,207 Female 158,911 159,240 159,563 109,561 109,496 109,495 Density15 132.4 132.7 132.9 65.8 65.8 65.8 Share of population aged 0- 17 16.7 16.4 15.4 15.1 14.9 14 (%) Share of population aged 9 9.1 9.3 11.3 11.5 11.8 65+ (%) Mean age of population 35.8 36.1 36.5 37.7 38.1 38.4

A number of active business entities by sectors of activity in the country east of the border according to National Classification of Activities (NKA) Rev.2 is given in the next table. Table 3 Active business entities by sectors of activity according to NKA Rev.2 (situation on 31 December 2017)16

Municipality Centar Mavrovo Sector Ohrid Struga Debar Vevcani Zupa & Rostuse of activity Agriculture, forestry 23 50 13 5 25 5 and fishing Mining and quarrying - 5 - - - - Manufacturing 317 200 52 8 6 20 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning 2 - - 1 - - supply Water supply, sewerage, waste 2 8 1 1 1 2 management and remediation activities Construction 174 257 44 41 8 11 Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor 887 750 204 14 24 37 vehicles and motorcycles

15 Calculated on the basis of land area 16 Statistical Yearbook, 2018 (Business entities); http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija_1.aspx?rbr=735

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Transportation and 163 121 25 3 5 11 storage Accommodation and 283 237 64 14 8 26 food service activities Information and 47 27 3 - - 1 communication Financial and 20 11 4 - - - insurance activities Real estate activities 30 8 - - - - Professional, scientific 253 143 22 5 - 1 and technical activities Administrative and support service 73 49 6 - - - activities Public administration and defence; 5 4 3 1 1 1 compulsory social security Education 43 24 5 1 3 6 Human health and 116 94 35 7 4 10 social work activities Arts, entertainment 45 36 10 2 1 4 and recreation Other service activities 153 113 14 5 - 4 Total 2,636 2,137 505 108 86 139

The local population living in the area of the National Park Mavrovo (NPM) is mostly concentrated in the villages. Characteristically thing is that nowadays because of the migration villages-to-big cities only few people are living in the villages located on Bistra mountain (Galicnik, Tresonce, Gari, Rosoki, Lazaropole). The local population living in the area of the National Park Galichica (NPG) is mostly concentrated in the urban settlements and villages. The mountain settlements, due to limited possibilities for economic development, are under the influence of the de-population process. This has been a result of the migration of population to larger urban areas and settlements along the shoreline of Lake Ohrid, as well as due to the tourism-oriented way of life. The small villages along the shoreline of the Ohrid Lake have good conditions for the development of

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tourism, which is the most profitable industry in the area (67% of companies service tourism in the area). Planned Development Project in the NPG which are in the target region of the Project are: Ski Resort (including Central Plateau Nordic Ski Centre), cover area of 529.55 ha and Tourism Development Zones (TDZ) Ljubanishta, cover area of 293.96 ha It is expected socio- economic benefit from increased employment during construction and from operation of the Ski Centre in the National Park Galichica. The main effect will be the number of hospitality jobs created in the area once the ski facilities are up and running.  Albania: The population of Dibra Region in Albania constitutes about 4% of the total population of the country with approximately 190,000 inhabitants17 is spread over three districts distributed among 35 LGUs - 4 municipalities, 31 communes and 276 villages. Table 4 Summary of population data for Diber Region January 1st 201218 No Residence Population center 1 Diber District 82,668 2 Bulqize District 43,289 3 Mat District 64,399 Total Region 190,356 As per latest population census of 2011, this figure is much lower: only 137,000 inhabitants. During the last decade the demographic situation in Dibra Qark has followed the same trend as other north and north-east areas of the country, characterized by an overall depopulation and rural-urban migration within the qark. Between 2002 and 2010, the population has decreased by 16%-25%, depending on measurement method. The highest emigration, up to 11% occurred during 2004-2006. Since 2006, is the changes are smaller, respectively 2.1% and 1.6% for the periods 2006-2008 and 2008-2010. The trend has been present in almost all LGUs, more evident in communes where depopulation was approximately 19% (highest in Zall Dardhe 59%, Rec 58%, Martanesh 55. There is a series of factors that have determined this situation: closure of former public enterprises resulting in high level of unemployment and emigration, very low accessibility (internal and to the centre), low access

17 As per qark civil registry. Note: there are large discrepancies between civil registry and INSTAT data. 18 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te-ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf

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to services, extremely low urbanization combined with large forests and mountainous areas and high fragmentation of settlements at high altitudes with varying slopes. The data for 2010, indicate that the region has an age structure composed by 24% of the population in the age group 0-14, 50% in the age of 15-64, and 26% above the age of 65. The young/old ratio of 0,9 has worsen significantly compared to the relatively high ratio of 4.1 in 2008. The age dependency ratio is quite high 0.76, meaning there is 1.3 person of non- working age per each 2 persons of working age. Main economic activities in the Dibra Region are the following: 1. The largest employers in the region of Dibra are registered in the district of Mat and Bulqiza with 32 and 33 respectively (employers with more than 9 employees) and Dibra with 18 employers. 2. Agriculture sector: is the sector which has the largest number of employees, this is because in this sector all of the working age are called the self-employed, we have about 15,546 employees in the agricultural sector or 61% of total employees in all sectors including the Statal. 3. Production sector: Enterprises in the production sector occupy 6% of total active nonagricultural enterprises of Dibra Region. Number of employees in these enterprises is significant because it constitutes about 24% of total employees in non-agriculture private sector. 4. Service Sector: With regard to this sector we can say that there are a large number of enterprises operating in this sector (excluding the state). In this sector operate about 927 enterprises, the sector with most of enterprises but can not say the same thing for the 10 employees in this sector because they rank after the trade and production which are the sectors with most employees. 5. Trade: It is a sector that has large number of enterprises and also large number of employees in this sector. Trade registers about 872 active non-agricultural enterprises and about 987 employees. This sector has the largest number of employees of all other sectors. 6. Exports: If we could make a reflection of exports in economic activity we can say that they occupy a considerable part of our economy by about 45.6% of total economic activity. 7. The Dibra Region is characterized by the following prevailing demographic features:  The region has a relatively young population, but continues to experience severe depopulation following the same long-term pattern of other qarks in regard to migration from less opportune mountainous parts of the region towards the western coast, especially to the

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central locations in Tirana and Durres. This will have important consequences for regional and local development as it will be hard to sustain depopulating areas.  The geographical characteristics impact the accessibility of different areas and result in high fragmentation of settlements, posing important socio-economic and administrative challenges. Acording the economic development Dibra is among the regions that are in the worst situation with high population decline, low density, very low urbanization, and high LGU fragmentation. In Dibra Region there are currently 83 enterprises with more than 9 employees. They are devided in districts as follows: - Bulqize: 32 businesses with total of 651 employees. What is impressing in this district is that the major field of activity is the mining industry. Other activities are those of construction, commerce and public services. - Mat: 33 businesses with total of 858 employees. The main activities of this district, beside minig, are those of construction, import-export of raw materials (mining included), services and trade. - Diber: 18 businesses with total of 423 employees. The dominant businesses are trade/commerce and costruction. The number of non-agricultural active enterprise that operates in the region is 2,554. In terms of activity type the majority of non-active enterprises operate in the service sector (36%), then trade (34%), and transport (19%). They are mostly located in municipalities (2,136 businesess). Over 90% of these enterprises have employed only one person. There is a growth in numbers of enterprises, although quite impressive does not compensate for losses in public jobs over the years. While further support to agricultural production brings positive changes in the rural areas, conditions for jobs creation need to be prepared in other productive sectors. High economic inactivity of population is evident, and especially severe for females. Decline in registered unemployment figures may well obscure the difficult employment situation. (Re)qualification efforts need to be greatly increased.19 - Activities and public institutions Currently, in Klosi Municipality there are some 200 private entities with business activities in the fields like: trade, services and mineral extraction. Health sector is represented by 20 health centers and 5 pharmacies. Education sector is composed of 3 high schools and

19 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te-ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf

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some 9-year education ones scattered in administrative units. One of the main priorities of the municipality is the sustainable development of agriculture and animal breeding, without forgetting tourism promotion.

4.3 Types of settlements and their characteristics  North Macedonia: Polog and South-west Regions are distinguished from other regions according to the high participation of the population living in rural areas.20 The Polog region has 184 settlements, of which 182 are rural and only 2 are urban settlements (Tetovo and Gostivar, witch are not in target CB region in our project).21 In the municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuse, which is within the target Cross-border region in our project, are 42 settlements.30 The following rural settlements which contribute to the development of tourism in the municipality can be distinguished: - Mavrovo: Mavrovo is a village and tourist resort in the west mountainous region of the country. Mavrovo is a destination for tourists throughout the year because of its skiing centre, national park and lake. There are weekend houses, inns and hotels offering accommodation for tourists all year round. The St. Nicholas Church in Mavrovo was built in 1850. It was submerged in the local lake in 1953, but due to droughts in the 21st century it has largely appeared out of the lake. Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, church. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism Note: Mavrovo is a destination and village in NP Mavrovo. There are tourist- recreational zones with ski terrains, a lot of tourist sites that should be visited. There are a large number of accommodation facilities. There are many trails that can be used for mountaineering, hiking, running and mountain biking. - Jance: After the winding canyon of Radika River, one of the oldest villages is located in the region Miak - small, but incredibly picturesque village of Jance. The area of the village is only

20 Planski Regioni vo RM; http://mls.gov.mk/images/publications/brosura_giz.pdf 21 https://macedonia-timeless.com/eng/cities_and_regions/regions/polog-region/

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4,8 km2, and rises at an altitude of 760 m. The parallel existence of the church and the mosque is just a proof of tolerance and coexistence through centuries for the villagers. The houses are cascadely lined up and represent inextricably union with beautiful natural landscape. Their authentic appearance is due to the traditional architectural tradition nurtured hundreds of years. The most meritorious person for the restoration of houses of this village is the expert Tefik Tefikovski with big experience, who except that retains the authentic look of the houses, in the restoration process uses only natural materials, mud, rock and wood, as were constructed the houses in the past. The waterfall Dug, the monastery “St. John the Baptist”, the small bridge Elen Skok, Tresonce River and glacial Lake Lokuv are nearby the village. Each year there is a festival of pie in the village, where skilled chefs gather from all the surrounding villages and compete to prepare the most delicious pie. Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, authentic look of the houses, waterfall, monastery, glacial lake. Potential types of tourism: activity and adventure tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism Note: There area is specific and suitable for mountaineering and hiking. There is a monastery nearby the village and that gives opportunity for development of religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to se the specific authentic look of the houses and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. - Galicnik: One of the most beautiful mountain villages, widely famous for its lush pastures, beautiful white and yellow cheese, as well as the excellent masons and builders, is located on the slopes of Bistra, in the heart of the Miyak area. The interesting location of Galicnik at an altitude of about 1,400 m above sea level is complemented by the authentic look of the houses. The art of building in this region is known throughout many European capitals. The architecture of Galicnik is preserved, old stone houses are restored, and new houses are built in a traditional spirit. The houses consist of two and three levels, and their present appearance dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Galicnik dates from the tenth century. It is considered that in the past it was a settlement for rangers. Stockbreeding was the main activity in the village, but today Galicnik is full of people only in summer, when displaced residents return to the village to avoid the summer heat. In July, the traditional Galicnik wedding customs are maintained.22

22 Scent rural beauty; http://tourismmacedonia.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Scent.pdf

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Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, authentic look of the stone houses, Galicnik wedding manifestation. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism (heritage and event tourism) Note: There area is specific and suitable for mountaineering and hiking. It is specific location, with specific architecture, restored old stone houses, and new houses built in a traditional spirit, that should be visited in summer, in order to see the specific look of the houses and village, to try the traditional food prepared from local products, and famous white and yellow cheese. Galicnik wedding manifestation is a base for event tourism development. - Tresonce: According to certain sources, the village got its name from the Latin words “tre sanchi,” which mean "three churches." The village is famous for its two waterfalls, only one of which is accessible. Other attractions include the beautiful horses kept by the local people, who offer tours in Tresonce and the surrounding villages. Like all other Mijak villages, Tresonce is well known for its ritual approach towards the celebration of life and inborn sense of beauty and esthetic forms.23 Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, mountain climate, clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, two waterfalls, churches, beautiful horses. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism Note: There area is suitable for mountaineering and hiking. There are churches in the vicinity of the village and that gives opportunity for development of religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to se the beauty of the nature, the horses and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. - Lazaropole: Lazaropole is situated on a plateau at Mount Bistra at 1,350 m altitude and is a mountain heaven in the country. The mild mountain climate due to the thermal influences of the Mediterranean which extend along the Radika River is a reason for Lazaropole to have over 2,000 sunny hours per year. The abundant forests as a natural filter purify the air to the level of crystal clarity. As a result, Lazaropole is officially registered as a location with the freshest air on the Balkan Peninsula.There are about 400 houses in the village. The older ones reveal

23 http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?page=373

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the traces of the Myjak highland building style. Especially picturesque are the village church of St. George, built in 1838, and the small churches in the forests near the village. The traditional national folk dance “teshkoto” is from the area of Lazaropole.24 Tourist attractiveness: extreme natural beauty, mountain climate, extremely clean and fresh air, rich flora and fauna, church. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism Note: There area is suitable for mountaineering and hiking. There is a church in the village and that gives opportunity for development of monastery and religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to see the beauty of the nature, and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. The South-west Region there are 5 urban municipalities of which 3 in our project: Ohrid, Struga and Debar, and there are 4 rural municipalities of which 2 in our project: Vevcani and Centar Zupa. In the municipality of Ohrid there are 31 rural settlements, in the municipality of Struga 50 rural settlements, and in the municipality of Debar 17 rural settlements. In the rural municipality of Vevcani the settlement with the same name is the only settlement (rural settlement). In the rural municipality of Centar Zupa there are in total 23 rural settlements.25 In Ohrid area the old villages are starting to become weekend resorts with vacation homes. The following rural settlements which contribute to the development of tourism in the region can be distinguished: - Pestani: In the village there were 318 houses, severely compressed to one another, without gardens or interstices between them. A large number of houses were placed near the lake, separated from it by regional road Ohrid - St.Naum. In this period, the construction of houses in the northern part of the village begins, in the direction of Ohrid. In this period, there is a number of households whose basic or additional income derives from tourism and private accomodation. According to the census in 2002, 1,326 people lived in Pestani in 395 inhabitants. Today in the village most of the streets are asphalted. In the village there is an ambulance and post office which work regularly. The watersupply is through built-in network.

24 http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/lazaropole.nspx 25 Register of potentials for development of rural tourism in the South-west Region; http://www.southwestregion.mk/home.aspx

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In the village there are a number of restorants, the hotel Gold Ring (Zlaten Prsten), as well as a few shops. Nowadays, almost every household in the village rent rooms for holidays, especially during summer tourist season. At the end of the southern part of the village is the Hotel Desaret, built in 1973, which is the largest tourist resort in this village and its immediate surrounding. From the north side, before the village Pestani is camp Elesec, and in the area of Gradiste there is the biggest auto camp in the country - Gradiste. In the vicinity of the camp there is a cave church St.Bogorodica (Pestanska), and in the vicinity of the village there are other six churches. Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, church, attractive surrounding (Ohrid Lake, campings, hotel facilities etc.). Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism. Note: There is a cave church in the vicinity of the village and that gives opportunity for development of religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to see the beauty of the nature, the surrounding, and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. - : The village Velestovo is located at 7 km distance, south-east of the city of Ohrid. The village is mountainous, on a superspeed pin of 1.080 m. The village was big and according to the census in 1961 there were 1,103 residents. Starting from the late eighties of the last century, a large number of the residents started to move out of the village in the city of Ohrid, and some of them out of the country. Today the village counts only 53 permanent residents, most of them elderly people. The appearance of the village shows two oposites: old, abandoned and fireplaces houses and newly built modern houses, which are only used during the summer season. The location of the village from where there is a wonderful view of the lake and the city of Ohrid, makes this village attractive for building weekend houses. Nevertheless, the rural infrastructure does not satisfy the basic criteria. But the infrastructure of the village has not satisfying condition. There are some shops in the village where can be provided basic groceries. The old school building in the village functions as the Cultural Center of the village, where in August is maintained The Velestovo poetry night, which in addition to the artistic value has an important role in the promotion of the village and its re-invigorating.

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Tourist attractiveness: interested lendscape, specific old houses, Velestovo poetry night. Potential types of tourism: nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism (event tourism) Note: It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to see the specific houses, and the surrounding, and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. The Velestovo poetry night is interesting cultural manifestation. - : Village Trpejca is located in the southern part of the municipality of Ohrid, on the road from Ohrid - St.Naum, at a distance of 19 km from the city, scattered between the rocks and the little beach on the shore of Ohrid Lake. In the eighties of the last century, Trpejca received the mark of tourist place (before it was a fishing village). During the tourist season, Trpejca is visited from a large number of domestic and foreign tourists which are setteled in the households. The development of tourism contributed to successful work of a few restaurants and shops. The Trpejca surrounding with its location is an attractive place for building weekend houses (which are mostly illegal constructions). The village is a mix of modern homes and traditional dwellings. Trpejca has a special spirit, and people are very hospitable. Several houses are located on the shore of the lake. The small village beach is sprinkled with small white stones and it’s only 200 feet long. The water is perfectly clear and pleasant for swimming. The locals and their guests celebrate the arrival of summer every year with the unique Festival of the Sunset. The oldest church in the surrounding of the village is The Holy Mother of God of Zaum from the XIV century, and in the village is located the church St.Nikola wich is reconstructed. Nearby are located monastery St.Naum and Bay of Bones, which is a museum and a prehistoric settlement. Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, churches, attractive surrounding (Ohrid Lake, hotel facilities etc.). Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism. Note: There are churches in the vicinity of the village and that gives opportunity for development of religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to see the beauty of the nature, the surrounding, the culture of the settlement (mixed architecture, old and new one), and to try the traditional food prepared from local products.

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In Struga area the following rural settlements which contribute to the development of tourism in the region can be distinguished: - Radozda: The fishing village Radozda is characterized by tranquility, peaceful life, and gentle people. This beautiful village with a long history and rich spiritual life will provide pleasurable moments and complete comfort. Situated at the foot of the rocky reef, the village has several cultural and natural landmarks, and seven holy temples are located in its surroundings. The cave church of the Holy Archangel Michael is located deep in the rocks, at the entrance to the village.26 - Kalista: Five kilometres south-west of Struga, on the shore of the lake is the village famous for the old churches and monasteries and fish specialties. In Kalishta, on the very shore of the Ohrid Lake, in the natural rocky setting there is the monastery of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, among the people known as the Kaliste Monastery. Within the complex there is a cave and a new church dedicated to the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, the church dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and the cave church dedicated to St. Athanasius. The new church was restored in 1977, and the foundations date from the 13th century. There is monasticism and an active monastic life in the monastery.27 Tourist attractiveness: natural beauty, churches and monasteries on a rocky terrain, located on the shore of the Ohrid Lake. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism, religious tourism. Note: There are a lot of churches and monasteries in the vicinity of these two villages and that gives opportunity for development of religious tourism. It is interesting place to be visited in summer, in order to see the beauty of the nature, the surrounding area, the culture of the settlements, and to try the traditional food prepared from local products. -Vevcani Vevcani is a rural settlement which contribute to the development of tourism. In Vevcani almost everything is built around water. The village has so much water that you may think that you’ve found yourself in rural Venice. Vevcani is mentioned as a rural settlement since the end of the IX century when it was first developed. It is located at the foot of Jablanica,

26 Scent rural beauty; http://tourismmacedonia.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Scent.pdf 27 https://macedonia-timeless.com/eng/cities_and_regions/cities/struga/

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at a distance of 14 km from Struga. This field is devided into Gorno and Dolno Maalo (Upper and Lower neighborhood), with an altitude that ranges from 830 to 960 m above sea level, with surroundings that cover an area of about 35 km2. Vevcani abounds with charm and the feel of a quaint city and, as always, exists as a symbol of independence and equality for all its citizens. Even nowadays it declares itself as a state within a state. The village is known by Vevcani Springs, which represents a monument of nature. The main spring is found in the mouth of a cave, and others are located below that merge with the main source deep under the ground. This spiritual place is characterized by the Church of St. Nicholas where Easter and Christmas holidays are celebrated. Vevcani claims the memorial house of the physicist Michael Pupin, who once lived here. During the walk to the springs via the arranged tracks and bridges, in addition to numerous chapels, you will feel the spirit of the place, which you will truly experience when you decide to become a part of the traditional pagan Vevcani Carnival, which is believed to have existed for 1,400 years.28 Tourist attractiveness: natural magnificent lanscape, rich flora and fauna, Vevcani springs-monument of nature, crystal clear water of springs, caves, glacial lakes, churches, memorial house. Potential types of tourism: adventure and sport tourism, nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), cultural tourism (festival and event tourism), religious tourism. Note: The village of Vevcani is rural area that offer local traditional food prepared from local products. The Vevcani springs that have magnificent natural beauty, making waterfalls, and the nature around the springs is an asset, but also the event that is held in the village, Vevcanski Carneval, makes the village location that deffinately should be visited. -Debar The city of Debar lies in the south-eastern part of the Debar Field at the foot of the Deshat Mountain (Krcin) at an altitude of 625 metres. It is also surrounded by the mountains Stogovo in the east and Jablanica in the south, which separate the region from the neighbouring areas Kicevo and Drimkol in the Struga area. The city is located on the very shore to the artificial Debar Lake, which was created by the construction of the Shpilje dam in 1969 at the mouth of the Radika River in Crn Drim, directly at the southern end of the city.

28 Scent rural beauty; http://tourismmacedonia.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Scent.pdf

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Kosovrasti Bath is located at the foot of Mount Krcin, near Radika in the vicinity of Debar. The spring has a capacity of about 60 l/s. The water temperature is 48°C and is characterized as sulfur-sulphide with a high degree of radioactivity and the presence of algae suitable for treatment and for scientific purposes. With these features, the water is used to treat increased blood pressure, rheumatic diseases, diabetes, skin disorders, respiratory infections. Banjiste Baths are located at the foot of Krcin north-west of Debar. The springs have the capacity of 100 l/s and a water temperature of 38-48°C. The water has the same features as the Kosovrasti Bath. It has a very favourable spatial location at an altitude of about 650 metres. Both baths are equipped with accommodation facilities.29 Tourist attractiveness: calm natural magnificent lanscape, rich flora and fauna, clear water of lake, curative baths. Potential types of tourism: nature-based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism), health and wellness tourism Note: The calm magnificent natural beauty of the Debar Lake and the surrounding area are suitable for walking and siteseeing. The specific water springs which have hot water that have healing effect, give opportunity for increased development of welness tourism.  Albania: - Dibra Until 1911 Dibra was one of the most developed centers not only economically, but also in terms of developing crafts and trade. Dibra had a distinguishing construction style and architecture, but also a unique cultural and social “trademark”. At the beginning of XX century, Dibra had around 11.000 inhabitants along with 462 shops and stores. Today’s Bulqiza town, was built as workers’ center in between two villages: Durriç and Vajkal. At the beginning (1949-1950), there were only wooden barracks, whereas later (1950- 1960), began the construction of taller building (a few stores high though), elementary school, middle school, kinder garden and nursery homes for kids. As the town grew up and job places increased, the new town was joined by workers coming mainly from Dibra (Shupenza e Maqellara). As time went by, other social cultural facilities were erected, such as: cinema, palace of culture. Library, hospital, etc. Beginning of 1980, the construction of the New Town began, by the mountainside of Lepuri, only with 5-storey new buildings. Bulqiza had become a high density town which went beyond size of a small town.

29 https://macedonia-timeless.com/eng/cities_and_regions/cities/debar/

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Dibra-Mati area is well-known for stylish architecture construction, both original and characteristics. Architecture monuments constitute the richest material heritage of the area. Dibra construction masters used to be known in the country as real craftsmen in construction field. This tradition goes back in time and is witnessed by archeological findings of the area. It went from generation to generation for centuries, enriching itself with experience of neighboring countries where Dibra workers used to work. Dibra inhabitants were famous for their artistic taste regarding construction of their dwellings, very functional for those times. Their construction method comprised also use of complementary material. These material were different in the mountain part vis avis lowland areas. Dibra buildings’ decorations have been widely used and consisted of elements like main round arched beam made of stones, decorated ceilings made of carved and painted wood; houses were embellished by element like protruded balconies, of different shapes, or other architecture elements. The typical house built in Dibra was 1-store, sometimes 2-store and rarely 3-store high. Number of stores was also indicative in terms of social scale belonging: poor strata of population had houses of not more than 1-storey high, whereas rich members of society had taller ones. Dibra is well-known in Northern part of the country for its characteristic architecture of buildings - the towers. Towers are quite wide-spread all over its territory. Some of them have the status of cultural monuments and are protected by the government. The whole region has a large number of these constructions, which are recently being renovated and becoming available for visitors and tourists. The most prominent ones are: “Kulla e Kazaferit” in Gollobordë, “Kulla e Sufe Tollës” in Lura, “Kulla e Sale Markës” in Zogje, “Kulla e Sufe Laçit” in Gjurrë -Reç, “Kulla e Bibe Doçit” in Lura, “Kullat e Hoxhës” in , “Kulla e Bajram Dodes” in Tejmallë, gate decoration of “Kulles se Cen Puces” in Sopot, “Kulla e Riza Lushës” in Arras, where the Arras Meeting in August 1920 was held. - Mati region In the XIX century, Mati region had a visible evolution which was related to the use of forearms and bullets due to their impressive ballistic effect. Typical characteristic were the upper stores which had the fortification role, where apart from loopholes and small windows, feature no other light entrance. This phenomenon disappeared from year 1910 onwards, where Mati was object of attacks from Shefqet Dërgut Pasha expeditions. He did not allow anymore building of typical loophole style, but ordered to destroy also the existing ones. The ruined towers together with those built after county’s independence, weakened the fortifying character, because not only windows were opened in the higher stores, but smaller ones were

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enlarged and replaced with real size windows. As the families would grow, another tower would be built close to the existing, often attached or connected somehow. Large families would build big towers with middle entries and up to eight fortifying spots. These towers would create a unique protecting system which in their entirety, would have their specific role according the architecture solution and fitting with the surrounding territory. After the World War II, with changes in the political order together with different socio- economic factors, towers suffered drastic changes. Their fortified character went lost. The only feature remaining was their 4-corner shapes but loopholes and protection spots were replaced by larger windows at all building sides.

4.4 Cultural-historical and archaeological heritage The sites and buildings of cultural heritage in Ohrid are the old centre of Ohrid, which is an open museum with its well-preserved architecture of the period between 17th and 19th century. Ohrid region is famous for its cultural-historical and archaeological heritage. The heritage is placed on UNESCO List since 1980. In the city there are many churches from earlychristian and byzantine period, archaeological sites, monuments from otoman period, museums, archaeological findings. Some of the world famous are: St. Sophia was built between 1035 and 1056 in the time of Archbishop Leo .The most represented images are placed on the most visible place, in the central part of the altar are the frescoes of the Heads of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople: Basil of Caesarea, John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nazianzus. The figures of six Roman popes are painted in the side area of the deaconry thus reflecting the relations between the Constantinople and Roman Church before the fall in 1054. St. Clement’s church was devoted to St. Pantelejmon and it was triconch church, whereas the second one had irregular rectangular shape. On the north side of the St. Clement’s Church remaining of monumental polyconch earlychristian church with mosaic floors were found. St. Clement’s Church was upgraded in XIII and XIV centuries. In XV century it was turned into a mosque and in XVI it was renovated again; in the first half of XVII century it was ruined again, and its foundations hosted the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet. Samuil`s fortress dating back to Hellenic and Late-Ancient period. The fortress has a total of 18 defensive towers and four gates. The polyconch church is the most monumental object dating from V century in Lichnidos.. The church has a spatial atrium, narthex, catechumenate, baptistery, annexes and tetra naos.

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One of the most important iconographic themes is the presentation of the Heaven’s Rivers and the Fountain of Life in the baptistery. The basilica in Studenchisthe is positioned on the Petrin’s slopes, 3 km on East of antique Lichnidos. The basilica has three naves, with a narthex, double atrium, side annexes, catechumenate and baptistery. The naos, narthex and catechumenate have mosaics. The basilica dates back from the end of V or beginning of VI century. St. Erasmus’ Basilica is located on 7 km from Ohrid on the way to Struga, in the vicinity of the church devoted to St. Erasmus. The basilica has three naves, spatial atrium, narthex, side annexes and baptistery. The narthex and naos are covered in mosaics. It dates back to the middle of V century. St. John the Baptist in Kaneo is located in the Old Town above Lake Ohrid. The church was built at the end of the XIII century. The church was built on a rectangular stone base. Its exterior is decorated with ceramic decorative sculptures and stone carvings. The church is combination of Byzantine and Armenian architectural style. The cave church St. Stephen in Pancir area in acave near the Ohrid Lake. The decorations in the interior are dating back to the XV century. The church architecture is presumed to be much older. The Church Holy Mother of Zaum is found on the hill Osoj, on the eastern part of Ohrid Lake in the area of Zaum. The church is constructed in the shape of a cross with a cube supported on four columns. The church was constructed and painted in 1361 by Grgur. The frescoes in the church are exquisite piece in iconographic aspect. The frescoes are made by unknown painters. The Monastery St. Naum was built on a high rock above Ohrid Lake on its most southern point in an area that has a rare natural beauty on 29 km of Ohrid. Between X and XIII century St. Naum’s Church was completely ruined. In XVI century the current church was built on the foundations of the old one. It was constructed in two phases. During the first phase of the renewal, the naos and narthex were built, whereas during the second phase, both dome, above the naos and narthex. This church has a form of a cross in a square area with a dome placed on four pillars. The tomb of St. Naum is in a separate building with a wide and low dome. The main monastery church is devoted to the Saint Archangels Michail and Gabriel. The antique theatre is dating from Hellenic period. The theatre is located in the old centre of Ohrid. The theatre has 9 lines of seats.

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The bay of the bones Plocha Mikjov city is a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement. The most impressive remnants of the underwater cultural heritage are the remnants of the pile-dwelling (palafitas) settlements that belonged to the prehistoric era. In the Albanian part of the lake were found remnants of a pile-dwelling settlement near Podgradec. Cultural scenery with its most expressed elements of cultural view are: Monastery complex St. Archangel Michael – St. Naum, located in the most southern point of the Ohrid Lake; Monastery complex Holy Mother of God of Zaum, located on the coast of Ohrid Lake, surrounded by rocky terrain rising in the background of the church and endemic greenery; Roman Castrum rising behind the rocky coast next to the reconstructed Neolithic settlement Bay of Bones; Fishery settlements Trpejca and Peshtani featuring original location on the coast of the lake and witnessing the way of living and the culture of living in the coastal area . Tourist attractiveness: churches and monasteries, mosques, archaeological sites, museums with archaeological findings, old traditional architecture, Potential types of tourism: cultural tourism (heritage and festival/ event tourism), religious tourism.

Mavrovo-Rostushe and Centar Zupa At 1,200 meters above sea level over the karst countryside in village Kodzadzik in Municipality Centar Zupa, were found the foundations of the family house of great Turkish reformer and statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, on basis of which in 2009 began reconstruction of the memorial building. Villagers think that thanks to the reconstruction, the village will become home to new people and draw tourists, allowing it to return to its former lively days. The parallel existence of the Christian and Islamic sacral buildings, which suitably contribute to the architectural and artistic traditions cherished throughout the centuries, witnesses about the creative cohabitation of different cultures, united in their creative existence today. Monastery St. Jovan Bigorski is the most representative monument of the artistic heritage of the region. The founder of the monastery was the monk Jovan of Debar in 1020, who at that time was Archbishop of Ohrid. The monastery was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and because of the stone which was used for building the monastery). The reason for building this monastery right here was the icon of St. John the Baptist, who was found as hovering over water springs. This icon is miraculous and, despite the beautiful and unique iconostasis made of carved wood, it represents one of the greatest treasures of the monastery.

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The church Saint Apostles Peter and Paul in the village of Tresonche represents site of exceptional importance for realizing the traditional values of the regional cultural environment. The basilica with three-nave disposition dated from the mid XIX century, with an additionally built open porch, is extraordinarily related to the morphology of the ground, creating exciting and impressive unity with the picturesque area Old Traditional Architecture There are various characteristics, originating from the field configuration, the region has compact and semi-compact rural settlements, while the villages of dispersed types can be rarely seen. It mostly refers to the villages in the area of Dolna Reka and Mala Reka which are located in the picturesque area with dynamic natural qualities, these rural settlements represent exceptional examples of the traditional masonry. Example are this settlements are the following villages: Bitushe, located in the area of Dolna Reka; Rosoki in Mala Reka; the neighboring village of Selce; the village of Tresonche in Mala Reka that offers a slightly different image of the organization of housing units and possesses; the village of Galichnik with its rural structure, represents organic unity of several ensembles. Among the rural settlements, characterized with an extraordinary vividness of the architectural look, we could mention the villages of Lazaropole, Gari and Janche. The village of Kodzagik, from which comes the family of Kemal Mustafa Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. In this village settlement, the project for the memorial house of the parents of Ataturk was born, who were born here in this village. Archaeological sites Sveti-grad, fortifies settlement, which dates from Macedonian, Roman and medieval period. It is located northwest of the village, on a large hill that has a dominant position over the spacious territory of Zupa, with the possibility of controlling communications in it. At the very top, which has steep rocks and a flat plateau, there are remains of a fortified settlement. The defensive wall of the castle is built of large stone blocks in a drywall. The biggest battle between the Ottoman army and the Skanderbeg army, which began on 14 May 1449, was the place where this happened. Ethnological Heritage- The development of crafts, the quality of the craftsmen’s production and the features of the traditional manufacturing are significant part of the cultural existence of Mavrovo- Rosrushe municipality. Certain continuation can be observed only in the development of particular crafts techniques (cooperage, carpentry, goldsmith or silversmith craft), whose production shows quite a reduced scope and limited product sales. Regarding the

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traditional skills, which used to be cherished as specific forms of traditional production, today we can register: weaving, embroidery, carpet making, and woodcarving. Local Customs and Folk Tradition One of the components for shaping the general cultural image of the region is the existence, maintenance and treatment of the living heritage, which contains the various segments of the local myths, spoken traditions, ancient legends, rituals, seasonal rites and customs related to wedding and funeral ceremonies and religious holidays. Originating from the religious music heritage, which in certain areas (Mijak region) it has ancient chronology and reaches the medieval period, the folk existence of this region has developed in several types of traditional singing, whose sounds have been kept as a music tone Municipality Debar has significant number of cultural heritage registered on its territory, where Islamic architecture: The New Hamam is located in the central area of Debar. It is dated from XVIII century. This Hamam is renowned in the Region for being the only one containing all functional elements – changing room, intermediate room, bathing room, water tank and fi replace, and the longest operating one; it was opened until 1992. Today, this building is being reconstructed and represents an art gallery. The Old Hamam in Debar presents classic Islamic architecture. The construction is comprised of smooth walls and domes made of stone, bricks and lime mortar. Concerning the investment potential, it is important that the Old Hamam contains all necessary rooms and properties to perform its function. Located in the central town area, the Old Hamam, is abandoned and out of the main focus. This cultural heritage asset if possibly reconstructed might even bring to the present the traditional custom of enjoying the Old Hamam functionalities. Mosques Inchar Mosque, in Debar, is one of the oldest mosques build in Macedonia (the oldest of all 9 mosques in Debar). It was built in 15th century (in the year of 1468), by the decree of the sultan Mehmet II. Dear Leap Bridge (Elen Skok) is Ottoman bridge, located in Debar region and built in the middle of the XIII century by the famous architect Mimar Hajrudin. Old traditional architecture The best representations of the XIX century traditional architecture can be found in Debar. The house is typical for Debar, symmetrically constructed with a ground floor, first floor, and the traditional enclosed chardak (a wooden balcony). The house interior reveals a great story in its interesting and plentiful decorations, carved wooden ceilings, doors. Typical examples are: the house of Gani Grazhdani, the house of Erebara and The house of Veliu Suri.

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The Galichnik Wedding Festival is an annual festival held in the village of Galicnik near the city of Debar in which a selected couple gets married in the traditional “Galichka” style wedding. Traditionally the wedding lasted for 5 days with the main activities on St. Peter's Day (12 July) every year. Today it is part of the festival “Galichko Leto” (Galicnik Summer) and it is a two-day event held on the weekend nearest to 12 July and it serves as a cultural and tourist attraction. During the wedding, men dance the Teskoto, symbolizing the suffering of the Macedonian people through the centuries. The event contributes to foster customs, folk songs, games and dances, and Galicnik’s ethnic costumes. Each year, couples from all over the country enter a competition run by the organisers to be the couple that gets to have a “Galichka” style wedding. Every year, a new couple gets the opportunity.30 Tourist attractiveness: churches and monasteries, mosques, archaeological sites, museums with archaeological findings, old traditional architecture, Potential types of tourism: cultural tourism (heritage and festival/ event tourism), religious tourism.

Cultural heritage of municipality Vevcani

The cultural heritage of municipality Vevcani is represented by sacral monuments and old traditional architecture that reflects the most characteristic aspects of way of living of the local population. Sacral architecture- Sv. Nikola is a gathering church where villagers gather to celebrate all the religious holidays. The permit for this church to be built was issued in Vevcani in 1834, and for the very same the villagers gave a lot of money for bribery. The fact that the floor of the church is above the ground is a great evidence for the bribery, because back in those days it wasn’t allowed for churches to be built above the ground only as basements. It is said that firstly the church was built seven feet below the ground but it was buried. The church is constructed with hand carved stone blocks. Its length is 18 meters and she is 12,5 meters wide. Old traditional architecture-The beauty of Vevcani is mostly created by the old houses that exist as an evidence of a life that once was here and still prevails. The house of Pesinovci, is a tall house, with a two story vestibule, a double middle porch with deeply defined winter apartment between the stories and a summer apartment on the upper story. The house of Korunovci it is a house with a three part division and a middle porch, and a specific construction that was noticeable in the middle aged churches in our areas. The house of

30 http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/galicnik-wedding.nspx

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Kitanovci, it is a house that is highly developed with a three part division of the basis and a centrally placed porch. The house of Popovci, it is a house with a high architectural and structural expression with a characteristic and specific typology. Ethnological heritage- The traditional costume in Vevcani represents a gathered reflection of the people’s cultural tradition whose roots are ethno cultural ideology of the Macedonians, some elements are of the ideology understandings and some are from the aesthetical understandings throughout the centuries. Of all the aesthetical categories and disciplines in knitting the costume the most valuable and appreciated part is the knitted area called "vez". One of the most famous village festivals traditionally held in the Balkans is the Vevcani Carnival. The Vevcani Carnival is held every year from 13 to 14 January in the village of Vevcani. It is believed that the custom is over 1,400 years old, so, it is one of the oldest cultural events in the country. It is based on old Pagan beliefs and rituals. Essentially the Carnival is the ritual of calling after Saint Basil the Great, which coincides with the Twelve Days of Orthodox Christmas and the Orthodox New Year. The festivity is dedicated to Saint Basil the Great. The participants of the Carnival are known as “Vasilicari”. Tourist attractiveness: churches and monasteries, mosques, archaeological sites, museums with archaeological findings, old traditional architecture, Potential types of tourism: cultural tourism (heritage and festival/ event tourism), religious tourism.

Cultural heritage of municipality Struga Municipality Struga has cultural heritage, that dates chronologically back to the VI century BC. It is considered, according to some relevant sources, that the first inhabitants of this area were the Briges and the Enheleians, and later came the Desarets. With the passing of the centuries this fishing settlement grew into a town-like village which was called Enhalon (eel). The name is accidental. Namely, here on the outflow of the river Crn Drim from the Lake Ohrid The name Struga was mentioned for the first time in a document dated from the XI century. In another document dated from the XVI century (Kalimanova Gramota). In the VI century Enhalon, Lihnidos and the other inhabited places were in the frames of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. In this period the Brsjatsi tribe settled in this area changing the name Enhalon with a new one, Struga, on which historians and linguists have different opinions; some say that the word comes from the word STRIG (to fleece sheep) and some claim that it means a passage for sheep through a fence which was called STRAGA, STROGA, STRUGA.

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Old traditional architecture in Struga is represented by many traditional houses placed in the centre of the city. The most representative are the houses of Kodzoman, Vlado Malevski and the house of Nestorovi. Other interesting examples of traditional architecture can be seen on Braka Miladinovci and Niko Nestor Streets right from the bazaar. The first one begins with Miladinovci House in which the brothers were born and lived and today it serves as a museum dedicated to them. Sacral architecture Assumption of Holy Mother of God is a cave church, situated high on the rocks of the western bank of Ohrid Lake. The church is dating from the XV century and served as ascetic chapel. The church is built according to the space inside the cave and the east side is blocked with a stone wall and there is the alter apse and entrance. Halveti Teke - is one of the most representative examples of Ottoman architecture in Struga and it is protected by the Macedonian Cultural Memorial Institute. The tekke (Muslim monastery) was established by Hasan Baba (Asan Dede) in the beginning of the XVIII century and consists of five rooms in the shape of the letter T. Archaeological sites: Ustie of Drim, archaeological site placed on the coast of the lake,, near the river Crn Drim. The site has remnants of the pile-dwelling (palafitas) that belong to prehistoric era. All archaeological material, found from the site is placed in the Museum in Struga and National Ohrid Museum. The road from Roman period is to be seen near the village Radozda, on the slopes of Jablanica.. The road was part of the road Via Egnatia, which dates from the roman period. The road is paved with stones, and the width of the road is 2.50-3 m, while the preserved length is 100 m. Basilica in Oktisi, which is dated in the first half of the V century is earlychristian basilica with three naves of the naos, narthex, exonarthex, lateral annexes and baptistery. The floors of the basilica are covered with mosaics with geometrical, floral and animal decorations. Tourist attractiveness: churches and monasteries, mosques, archaeological sites, museums with archaeological findings, old traditional architecture, Potential types of tourism: cultural tourism (heritage and festival/ event tourism), religious tourism.

Cultural heritage of municipalities Diber, Klos, Mat and Bulquize

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The folkloric Dibra costume is a vest full of life, which reflects through details, the culture and richness of the area. Dibra has inherited to present days a huge variety in terms of popular costumes. These costumes have always existed influenced by factors such as climate, tradition and possibilities. The folkloric Dibra costumes, used to accompany the daily activities, but in some cases there were differences between celebrations and mourning. Folkloric costumes of Mati area Folkloric costumes represent symbolic materialization of communities’ lives. This is the basis upon which many studies are based, some of them reaching the conclusion that folk costumography, reflects social, economic and historic developments. This fact is quite evident in Mati region costumes which exist in an extraordinary variety. They are like a book where the history of the region, an old and rich history and tradition, has been written on. Without any doubt, Mati is the riches region of Albania in terms of folk costumes. Dibra-Mati area is well-known for stylish architecture construction, both original and characteristics. Architecture monuments constitute the richest material heritage of the area. Dibra construction masters used to be known in all Albanian as real craftsmen in construction field. This tradition goes back in time and is witnessed by archeological findings of the area. It went from generation to generation for centuries, enriching itself with experience of neighboring countries where Dibra workers used to work. The typical house built in Dibra was 1-store, sometimes 2-store and rarely 3-store high. Number of stores was also indicative in terms of social scale belonging: poor strata of population had houses of not more than 1- storey high, whereas rich members of society had taller ones. Dibra is well-known in Norther part of Albania for its characteristic architecture of buildings, - the towers . Towers are quite wide-spread all over its territory. Some of them have the status of cultural monuments and are protected by the government. The whole region has a large number of these constructions, which are recently being renovated and becoming available for visitors and tourists. The most prominent ones are:“Kulla e Kazaferit”in Gollobordë, “Kulla e Sufe Tollës” in Lura, “Kulla e Sale Markës” in Zogje, “Kulla e Sufe Laçit” in Gjurrë -Reç, “Kulla e Bibe Doçit” in Lura, “Kullat e Hoxhës” in Muhurr, “Kulla e Bajram Dodes” in Tejmallë, gate decoration of “Kulles se Cen Puces” in Sopot, “Kulla e Riza Lushës” in Arras, where the Arras Meeting in August 1920 was held.31

31 http://rrugaearberit.com/2017/04/01/objektet-arkitekturore-te-dibres-mundesi-per-zhvillimin-e-turizmit-kulturor/

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Figure 20. Dibra monument Kullat MatjaneIn Mat, there are findings of old feudal towers and castles. After the falling of Kastriot participate and consequent destruction of their towers, fortresses ensuring safety of inhabitants’ lives were destroyed. Local highlanders become object of Turkish expeditions, feudal wars, lootings, friendly fire, and other phenomena. In order to preserve untouched freedom and properties, locals, further to the building style of local feudal, created the prototype of “tower home” which was later evolved from century to century according to historical and economic factors and with the appearance of fire-weapons. The higher store of the building was designed as fighting spot, while the other 1 or 2 lower floors were used for storing agriculture and animal products. This construction style featured one 3-storey high tower used for protection purposes and another 2-storey high tower built to increase the overall surface available, without affecting one another. This castle-tower building style clearly witness their origin and their relation with medieval feudal castles.

Bridges

Mati area is situated in the central massive, between mountain chains Skënderbeg and Dejë- Balgjaj, connecting with the lowland, seaside and coastal area, or areas in her back, through mountain passes.

Figure 21. Famous bridges from Mar

Bridges of road infrastructure crossing Mati, are located mainly on the upper stream of Mati river, where the river exits the last canyon, in Klos. There were built by stones and wooden material. Many of them have gone destroyed, and all what is left are just ruins or people memories. Bridges used to be joint constructions of a community, neighborhood or tribe and therefore raw material was ensured jointly, whereas labor force was paid to builders by

https://www.facebook.com/GazetaDibra/photos/pcb.1006762826054016/1006760219387610/?type=3&theater

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different persons. Stone bridges are mainly found in Krye-Mata area, in villages like Gur i Bardhë, Klos, Dars, Bërshi, Patin and e Vogël.

Ura Vashës (Maid’s Bridge) Ura e Vashës (maid’s Bridge) is situated between villages Klos and Guri i Bardhë. It connects two banks of river Mati and used to be the only connecting bridge of that river upper stream. It dates back beginning of XIX century, built by river stones, 11 meters long, arch base between two feet of 7 meters. Other features of the bridge are; height between arch and water flow is 7 meters and the width of bridge track is 2.8 meters paved by stones. Its arch is demi-circle, made of worked and carved limestone with double arching. There are iron reinforcements on both sides of the arch. Photos of this bridge (fig.40) are used to accompany decorated objects made by Sefedin Stafa; his production needs to be promoted to enable tourists finding them while visiting and close to the bridge.32 Ura e Kulmares (Bridge of Kulmare) Ura e Kulmares is situated close to Guri I Bardhë over Sheun e Dishit and connects Hoxhaj neighborhood with Dishi Mountain. Also known as “Ura e Lopëve” (Cows’ Bridge) as its helps animals reaching mountain pastures. Bridge is 11 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. This is one of the highest bridges of Mati. Its top of the arch is 14 meters from water surface. The legend tells that this bridge was built for charity by maid Hasime Tuska from Guri i Bardhë. This seems to be a rare act in the field of engineering and construction, especially in the highland. Ura e Shahinit (Shahini Bridge) Ura e Shahinit is located over Sheun e Madh close to Çelaj neighborhood in Patin, Klos. This is a smaller bridge compared to others and this is related to its position. Its is 6 meters long and 2 meters wide. Its height from top of the arch to water surface is 7. 6 m. It was certainly built to connect Klosi market with market of Lisi. The bridge was built by a person named Shahin, from Celaj family in Patin. Its construction date, based on building technique and typology, must be in the period between XVIII-XIX centuries. Ura e Halilajve (Halilaj Bridge)

32https://sefedinstafa.com/featured/maidens-bridge-ura-e-vashes-sefedin-stafa.html?product=throw- pillow

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Ura e Halilajve was built between villages Dars, Bel and Fullqet of Klosi, over “Sheun e Xhabzës”, which originates from Xibri. Bridge was erected on a rocky spot over two high banks. It is composed of an arch and a complementing window on the right side. Its arch is stretched and broken in the middle. The bridge’s arch is 15 meters long, “light distance” between the two feet is 11 meters, whereas height from top to water reaches 9 meters. Road track is paved with river stones and is 2.6 meters wide. In order to complete the space created on the right bank, a small complementary arch had been built, featuring a window. Legend wants a member of Halili tribe as bridge’s constructor; however his name and construction date are not known although this is one of the oldest and well-kept bridges still existing in Mat area. Ura e Shën e Premtes (Bridge of Saint Friday) Ura e Shën e Premtes was built in between centuries XVIII-XIX. It is situated in the upper stream of Sheut të Lusës, between villages Gurrë e Vogël and Frankth. The bridge was named after the ruins of a medieval church known as “Saint Friday”. Both sides of lower arch are connected by iron bars. Bridge features a 10.5 meters length, 2.5 meters width and 9 meter height from top to water surface. It is believed to been built by Jashar Kadriu from Gurra e Madhe, for the purpose of connecting Gurra area as well as other villages of the region, with Komsie market. Its construction date is believed to be the beginning of XIX century. Religious Facilities The Mati area is also rich in religious facilities. These may be included as well in the visiting sites as part of touristic destinations.Historical objects are mainly castles and towers which could be visited from Burreli town with the following distances:Rruga e vjetër e Arbrit (Old Arbri Road), Venetian Bridges, such as Ura e Allamanit (Allamani Bridge),- 18 km, Ura e Halilëve (Halili Bridge), - 19 km, Ura e Hoxhës (Hoxha Bridge),- 24 km, Ura e Vashës (Maid’s Bridge),- 23 km from Burreli town, etc.More site to be visited:Kalaja e Skënderbeut (Skanderbeg Castle),- 30 km, ruins of Kalasë së Komsis (Komsis Castle), - 8 km, Kulla e Dedollit (Dedolli Tower),- 25 km, Qyteti dhe Kalaja e Varoshit (Town and Varoshi Tower),- 27 km, kullat e Macukullit (Macukulli Towers),- 25 km, Sarajet e Zogut () (King;s Manson),- 14 km, Shtëpia muze e Rexhep Lleshit (Home Museum),- 28 km, Memoriali i Kuvendit të Dukagjinit (1602) (Memorial of Dukagjini Parliament),- 20 km, Varri i Turkut (Turkish Grave),- 18 km, Stanet e Nelëve, - 30 km, Sherapop (Powder production factory), - 25 km. Famous religious sites and facilities, are the following:

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One of them is Kisha e Shën Mitrit (Church of Saint Demeter) built in 1892, pronounced Culture Monument in 2007. Kisha e Shën Mitrit is an orthodox religious facility located in Kërçisht i Sipërm (fig.41). This church was built by local workers in 1892, with stones and lime mortar heavily influenced by byzantine culture. Its roof is built upon a wooden frame and covered by stone tiles, whereas ceiling is painted by afresques.33 Figure 22.Church of Saint Demeter Kisha e Shën Sotirit (Church of Saint Sotiris) was inserted in the list of Culture Monuments back in 30.05.1970, from the then Ministry of Education and Culture. Walls were erected using stones and lime mortar. These walls host afresques of dimensions 7 × 3.2 meters, but actually damaged. Rooftop is covered by stone tiles. Church was built in 1270. Xhamia e Allajbegisë (Alljbeg Mosque) was inserted in the list of Culture Monuments back in 30.05.1970, from the then Ministry of Education and Culture. Mosque was built in 1585, features a cubic shape with a dome and praying area of dimensions 6.4×6.27 meters. Its tower has a multifaceted basis, boasting 10 windows and stone frames. Building technique is more handcrafted according to Albanian culture and tradition. The area has also other religious sites and facilities whose distances from Mati town are as follows: Kisha e Shën Nikollës (Church of Saint Nicola), Kisha e Kalirecit (Chutch of Kalirec), Kisha e Fushë Bazës,- 16 km, Kisha e Bushkashit - 16 km, Kisha e Ulzës, - 21 km, Kisha e Stojanit, - 18 km. Manifestations There are many celebrations organized in Dibra area which might be transformed into rituals, such as Harvesting Feast. This is an annual occurrence, organized in October where local products and gastronomy may by tasted. Festa e Liqeni të Zi (Black Lake Feast). This feast has a nice but yet painful story behind. Legend tells that one young couple was working in the fields, but due to some earth displacement they disappeared not to be found anymore. Later, the ring of the young girl appeared in Vasije village, where locals would get drinking water at “Good Water Source”.

33 http://rrugaearberit.com/2017/04/01/objektet-arkitekturore-te-dibres-mundesi-per-zhvillimin-e-turizmit- kulturor/

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From that days, tradition wants everyone drinking water from this source, to leave behind a yarn form his/her clothes as a token of remembrance and respect for the disappeared couple. Local community members respect this tradition. Black Drin Valley hosts the traditional activity called “Drini’s Feast”. This celebrating activity marks the opening of tourism season in Black Drin River and is organized in Muhurr. The purpose of this activity is not only the opening of tourism season on Black Drin River, but also touristic promotion of the whole area. Usually the touristic season is celebrated on July 1, but it depends also on climate conditions. Celebrations would consist on following activities: singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, sport activities, etc. Visitors can also taste traditional local dishes and products. 34Another celebration is Oda Dibrane (which described earlier) and has the objective to present spiritual culture of our region, as well as promoting spiritual heritage, folkloric and humoristic songs. It is celebrated in October, a month peculiar for the variety of local products and greatness of natural colors.35 Kulla e Gurit të Bardhë (Tower of Guri i Bardhe) and the project of 100 villages as touristic destinations, - an initiative of Albanian Government Project of 100 villages as a network of touristic destinations, is an initiative of the Albanian Government. There are un-exploited opportunities all over the country. Precious traditional and natural resources, are half-dormant, far from visitors’ eyes, and

Figure 23. Tower of more far from being used and benefitted from (fig.42). Guri i Bardhe In the list of 100 villages planned to become more attractive to tourists, is also Guri i Bardhë in Mati area. This is a village full of history, tradition, natural beauty and hospitality. No other choice could have been more appropriate. Guri i Bardhe and the surrounding area, preserves and maintains, thanks to nature better than everywhere else, an old tradition not less known in the past. Should the project succeed to “discover and make visible” the “treasuries” of Guri i Bardhe, harmonizing them with the splendors of its surrounding nature, it would certainly become an attractive national destination for adventure tourism. Inhabitants of Guri i Bardhë, but also Mati people in general, like to declare themselves as real descendants of Skanderbeg.. They have fanatically preserved

34 http://dibraexpress.com/potenciali-turistik-lugines-se-drinit-te-zi/

35 http://www.dibra.gov.mk/?p=199304 https://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme-nga-maqedonia/ne-diber-hapet-festivali-oda-dibrane-586451/

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the name Petralbe, which is nothing else that the Latin denomination of their village. They have also other references for that. Marin Barleti mentions them specifically in his “History of Skënderbeg”. Powder Powder was produced in large quantities in Mat and in the vicinity of Petralba for more than 5 centuries. Adjacent to Petralba there is a village named Fushat (Fshat), inhabited by the trive called Llaveshat. Powder used to be manufactured in simple factories, by using water energy but also labor force. These workshops were named “powder stores”. Klosi became the earliest and the biggest centre for powder manufacturing, and at the same time, the rear base of the Albanian resistence. Klosi region used to produce powder for carried weapons, for canons, hunting guns, for stone-breaking purposes, etc. This activity went on from the beginignof XV century until 1911. Dibra region Mati region represent a real archeological museum as well as an ancient cradle of Illyrian culture. Archeological objects discovered in the area, provide data on population along all periods of anthropological and historical development. In this area, archeological findings dated in the period 1953-1984 have unearthed more than 53 Illyrian tombs, which belong to development of human communities from the middle bronze era, until first centuries of new era; however, the majority of them belong to first iron period. The Mati tombs have been found to contain plenty of decoration objects, weapons, working objects, bronze swords, knives, iron spears, machetes named ”Sica”, Illyrian helmets, bronze ornaments of VI-V century BC, as well as many more daily objects. Apart from studies on Mati area tombs, other caving sites have been studied, located north of Bruci village together with caving sites of Blazi, Këputa, Pëllumbave and Neziri. Different archeological diggings have discovered material traces, from the middle Paleolithic, to neoliths and later. In Mati area there also known an array of centres and sites fortified by means of surrounding walls and castles. The most important of them are: City of Varoshi (Stelushi), Guri i Bardhe (Petralba), Xibri, Cëruja, Bruçi, Shkopeti, Komsia etc. These fortified sites have a distribution along the Valley of Mati River. Castle of Xibri, situated close to Xiber Village in Mat. It was built up the mountain of Darsi, in vicinity of Guri I Bardhe (White Stone); Kalaja e Shkopetit (Castle of Shkopeti), is located over the current tunel of Shkopeti, upon HEC’s dam; Kalaja e Bruçit (Bruci Castle) situated west of Prell village and north of Bruçi Village where ancient Illyrian sites of Blazi, Neziri, Këputa were found; Kalaja e Gurit të Bardhë

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(Petralba), is located down from Guri I Bardhe Village, in a mountain height, around 778 m high. Kalaja e Skënderbeut (Scanderbeg Castle) in Varosh-Stellush, lies in the foremost north- eastern end of Mati Valley, near Viq Village, bordering with villages Shëlli, Vinjallë and Qafëmurrë. The rock upon which the castle was built, is called Scanderbeg Castle or Varoshi Castle. As mentioned above, the two most prominent castles are: Qyteti i Varoshit (Stelushi) and Petralba (Guri i Bardhë). These castles used to be important chief towns of Scanderbeg period, protecting against ottoman invaders. Archeological findings witness an ancient population living in the area. These findings are basically from all historic periods, but the most significant ones belong to bronze era (1300- 1100 before Christ), iron (1100-900 BC), as well as findings of V-IV centuries BC. Traces of Arbri Way have also been retrieved, which used to connect west to the east. The churches, mosques, castles found in the Dibra region, by cities are given as follows:36 Diber: Burim Mosque, Kërçisht Church, Grezhdan Castle, Kërçin Castle, Herbel Churches, Buraviku i Begjunecit, Gradeci Castle ruins (Zdojan), Kullaku Castle (Brezhdan), Churches in , Kepi i Qytetit, Scanderbeg Museum (), Dine Hoxha Tower, Klan Dera Tower, Elez Murra Towers, Teqja e Sefere (Arap i poshtëm), Teqja e Mere (Lishan i Epërm), Lisi në varrezat të Like, Christians Cemetery, Sefer Canit Tower. Burrel: Bridge of maiden, Castle of Skanderbeg, Petralbe, Rexhep Lleshi House museum, the Tower of Dedoll, Mali me gropa, Founts of White Stone, Great Light Qaf- Murrizë, The old Arber road, Pergja Lusa Cave, Place of gunpowder production Sherapop, Church of St. Nicholas, Sarjat e Zogut (Burgajet), Town of Varosh + castle, Grave of the Turk, the castle ruins of , Kalirec Church, Church of Fushë Bazë, Stream of Thana, the statue of Mother Theresa, Ulez Church, Stojan Church, Bushkash Church, ruins of churches Dukagjin (Shën Mëri, Ishtotri), Memorial of Dukagjin assembly (1602), Ruins of St. Trinity church, towers of , Neziv Cave, Cave of Këputes. Bulqize: Teqja e Bllacës, Teqja e babë Shehut (Boçevë), Kovashica Church, Marke Tower, Kurte Tower (Shupenzë), Vleshë Mosque, Krajka Town, Plain of the Castle, Kaziak Church, Cemetery Peak(Sofraçan), Palin of Gurra, Lapidar of the partisan battalion creation, Lapidar of national martir Mane Kazani, Lapidar of Tercilio Kardinali.

36 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te- ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf

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Dibrani (Dibra people), have still managed to preserve fanatically tradition, old habits, songs, games, costumes and many other ethnographic symbols. Form cultural events in Dibra region can be distinguished: - Dibra district: Oda Dibrane, Harvest Fair, Gostia Dibrane, the Feast of the cherry, Feast e Bjeshkës (Sllatinë), Birthday of Skanderbeg (May 6), the Feast of Drin, - Bulqiza District: Festa e Gjoricës (July 26), the feast of apple - Mat District: Mat Lyrical Song, Laurantëve Meeting, October 8 - the birthday of Ahmet Zog King of Albanians, the Feast of Saint-George, Folk Fest July 31.37

4.5 Religious factors

People often make pilgrims to places of religious importance to seek inner peace, get blessing of their favorite deities and gurus, attain salvation before death, etc. Here, faiths, beliefs and sentiments of people contribute in booming tourism at holy places. Examples of places that are well-known for their religious significance is Ohrid which is also knowns as Balkan Jerusalem. St. Naum is one of the monastery that every year is visited by many religious tourists. The Mati area is also rich in religious facilities. These may be included as well in the visiting sites as part of touristic destinations. One of them is Kisha e Shën Mitrit (Church of Saint Demeter) built in 1892, pronounced Culture Monument in 2007. Kisha e Shën Mitrit is an orthodox religious facility located in Kërçisht i Sipërm. This church was built by local workers in 1892, with stones and lime mortar heavily influenced by byzantine culture. Its roof is built upon a wooden frame and covered by stone tiles, whereas ceiling is painted by afresques.

4.6 Other factors  Economic importance of tourism

37 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te- ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf

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Tourism in general has positive economic effects, referring to different elements such as employment, equilibrium of balance of payments, price stability, GDP, attracting foreign currency at tourism destinations. The positive effects are seen not only in businesses directly involved with tourism services, but also in businesses supporting tourism indirectly. Tourism in North Macedonia currently contributes 5.2 % to the national GDP (2.3 % direct contribution and 2.9 % indirect) (see figure below).

Figure 24 Total tourism contribution to GDP 2014 (in %) The total contribution (direct and indirect) of tourism to the national GDP shows the importance of the tourism industry for a national economy. Currently the travel and tourism industry contributes 5.2 % to the national GDP of the country, therefore the country is ranked on the 39th position out of 44 European countries. This is the highest value since the year 2000, where the contribution had been 5.5 %. During the last 10 years the share varied between 4.2 % and 5.2 %.

Figure 25 Contribution to GDP 2014 (per inhabitant, USD) In North Macedonia the total volume of the travel & tourism industry to the GDP was USD 288 per inhabitant (see figure above). With this the country ranks 42nd out of 44 European

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countries, far behind the leading European countries. In 2014 the total contribution of tourism to the employment in country east of the border was 33.100 people or 4.7 % (see the figure below).

Figure 26 Total tourism contribution to employment in 2014 (in %) Regarding the amount of people employed in the tourism industry in comparison to the overall employment in the country, the country east of the border is ranked on the 41st position out of 44 European countries. In 2014 around 4.7 % of the employed workforce was (directly or indirectly) employed in the tourism industry.

Figure 27 Tourism employment 2008 - 2014 After a decline at the beginning of the 21st century the figures reached around 27,000 in 2008 and 2009 again. Since 2010 the number of people employed in tourism in the country continuously increased, reaching 33.100 in 2014 (see the figure above).38In the period 2013- 2017, the expenditures of foreign tourists (non-residents) in the country west of the border over

38 National Tourism Strategy 2016 – 2021; http://www.economy.gov.mk/Upload/Documents/BER_Tourism%20Strategy%20Macedonia_FINAL%20REP ORT_16%2004_E.pdf

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GDP are on average 13.3%. In 2017, the exepnditure of foreign tourists (non-residents) in the country over GDP is 14.9 %. Activities directly related to tourism generated 39 billion of added value during 2017, contributing around 2.5% to national GDP of the country west of the border (see figure below).

Figure 28 Tourism contribution to GDP 2017 (in %) Taking into account the indirect effects of tourist spending on other economic activities, this contribution is higher.39The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP includes interconnected activities of restaurant and leisure industries, which thrive and are supported by tourists and which increasingly play a bigger role in the countries economy as source of income and employment. The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP in the country in 2017 was 8.47 %.40 These numbers primarily reflect the considerable economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agencies, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services) and Tourism’s important contribution to the countrys’ economy However, the sector suffers from several constraints such as lack of infrastructure, lack of market information, poor customer care, lack of agreed upon standards, poor marketing and a touristic product that often falls short of customers’ expectations. These shortcomings have stunted the arrivals of tourists and have resulted in a short touristic season and a short time of stay of foreign tourists in the country. In 2017, contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) for the country west of the border was 24.1 %. Contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP)

39 Tourism in figures, Albania 2018; http://www.instat.gov.al/media/4609/tourism-in-figures-2018.pdf 40 https://knoema.com/atlas/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism-Direct-Contribution-to-GDP/Travel- and-tourism-direct-contribution-to-GDP-percent-of-GDP

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of the country increased from 8.4 % in 1998 to 24.1 % in 2017 growing at an average annual rate of 6.30 % (see the figure below).41

Figure 29 Contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) The next table give insight in contribution of travel and tourism to employment as a shere of GDP (%) for the two neighboring countries. Table 5 Ranking of the two neigboring countries in the world according to the contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) Year/ 2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ranking Country The country west of 15.4 18.8 21.7 20.7 22.1 22.2 22.6 22.6 23.9 24.1 20 the border The country east of 5.3 4.3 6.1 4.3 4.6 5.2 5.6 5.9 5.8 6.1 128 the border

According to the figures for contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) for the two neighboring countries given by World Travel and Tourism Council, it is clear that the country west of the border nave much more contribution of travel and tourism to employment (% of GDP) of the country than the country west of the border, which results in the shown ranking of the countries in the world.42

41 https://knoema.com/atlas/Albania/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism-Total-Contribution-to- Employment/Contribution-of-travel-and-tourism-to-employment-percent-of-GDP 42 https://knoema.com/atlas/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism-Total-Contribution-to- Employment/Contribution-of-travel-and-tourism-to-employment-percent-of-GDP

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Based on the tourism strategy of the years 2012-2013, it is done brief overview of the current situation where the two neighboring countries in the Cross-border region are compared.43 Table 6 Ranking of Tourism Sectors in the two neighboring countries in the Cross- border region44 Environment and Human, Cultural Human General index Framework And Natural Resources Resources Infrastructure Countries Ranking Ranking Ranking Ranking Country west of the 90 94 114 43 border Country east of the 83 114 82 44 border Tourism is considered an economic development engine since it involves directly and indirectly other economic sectors intersecting in its value chain. In 2016, tourism sector in the country west of the border has contributed an amount of 127.7 billion ALL, equivalent of 8.4% of GDP in the country (UNWTO, 2017). Tourism can provide a good source of income, especially in the rural areas, therefore it could be considered an economic activity with high importance in the developing economies, including the country in general and Dibra Region in particular. The governments and local businesses could generate more economic benefits through tourism only by following specific strategies that aim to increase the consumption of the touristic products as well as revenues from tourism services, by focusing on medium and high end revenue customers, by developing complementary and substitute products, distributing investment but also the revenue options geographically, reducing seasonality and offering incentives for small and medium enterprises.45  Destination competitiveness Destination competitiveness would appear to be linked to the ability of a destination to deliver goods and services that perform better than other destinations on those aspects of the

43 Paper: The Development of the Tourism Sector in Albania; http://www.irisro.org/economics2015january/62ArmandaKeqi.pdf 44 Source: Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports (2012) 45 Research Article: Tourism development potential, Diber region; https://ajas.ubt.edu.al/tourism- development-potential-diber-region/

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tourism experience considered to be important by tourists. But, not all the influences on competitiveness are objectively quantifiable. In the tourism context an important distinction will involve the reality of the situation, as indicated in objective measures of competitiveness (e.g. measures of price competitiveness, crime statistics involving tourists as victims), and traveler’s perception (e.g. perceptions of relative price levels, perceptions of safety\ security, views about comfort levels and the aesthetic appeal of different types of tourism resources). Indeed, the importance of tourists’ perception is such as to warrant separate recognition in a model of destination competitiveness.

5 ANALYSES OF THE SURVEY OF AVAILABLE TOURIST SERVICES AND TOURIST POTENTIAL IN THE CBC REGION

This Chapter provide detailed analysis of the results from the survey of the available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region. The purpose of the study was to get feedback from the relevant stakeholders from the CBC Region (tourist institutions, tourist providers, tourist entrepreneurs, tour operators, touristic agencies, tour guides, public institutions managing natural and cultural heritage, municipalities, governmental Institution, NGOs etc.). Therefore, consequently in this Chapter are presented analysis results and comparison of the answers on survey questionnaire from relevant stakeholders from both countries of the CBC region. The survey was conducted in parallel in both countries in the period from 15 April to 30 Novenber 2018. The survey questionnaire consists of 25 questions related to:  needs and overall satisfaction of tourists from the current accommodation offer;  needs and offer of local traditional food and their preparation;  needs of tourists and disadvantages of tourist offers;  marketing activities and its effectiveness;  quality and price of services;  use of electronic commerce etc. Some questions in the questionnaire give opportunity for multiple answers, some of them give two or three option to choose from and some of them are yes/no questions. The questionnaire is given in Annex 1 in this study.

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5.1 Needs and overall satisfaction of tourists from the current accommodation offer

Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: According to the responses, domestic tourists prefer the most private accommodation - apartments (74%), followed by hotel or rural house where owners are present and prepare home-made food (15%), then villas (13%), and hostels are least attractive (only 6%) for domestic tourists (see Figure 30 Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer ? (answers of tourist providers from Figure 30).

Figure 30 Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: According to the responses, domestic tourists prefer the most hotels of the region (70%) followed by rural house where owners are present and prepare home-made food and villas (30%). This group includes also the tourists’ category which prefers camping. Other

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accomodation options such as hostels (10%) and private accommodation - apartments (none), are least attractive for domestic guests (see Figure 31).

Figure 31 Question: What kind of accommodation do the domestic visitors prefer ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: What kind of accommodation do the foreign visitors prefer?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: According to the responses, more than half of the respondents (57%) stated that the foreign tourists prefer hotels, 35% stated that they prefer rural house where owners are present and prepare home-made food. (see Figure 32).

Figure 32 Question: What kind of accommodation do the foreign visitors prefer ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

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Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: According to the responses, foreign tourists are generally more attracted by rural house where owners are present and prepare home-made food (50%), whereas campings are related to local people services. Some 40% of the respondends said that the foreign tourists would prefer hotels. Somehow villas (with only 10%) and hostels or private dwellings (with 0%) are least attractive (see Figure 33).

Figure 33 Question: What kind of accommodation do the foreign visitors prefer ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: Rate the priorities of foreign visitors according to your experience:

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: According to the responses, priorities of foreign tourists are as follows: - priority no.1: comfort of the bed and quality of the mattress (35%), - priority no.2: security (24%), - priority no.3: the ambient and design of the accommodation capacity (17%), - priority no.4: hygiene in the bathroom (16%), The other offered choises according to the opinion of tourist providers are less important for the foreign tourists. For those options respond less than 10% of the tourist providers (see Figure 34).

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Figure 34 Question: Rate the priorities of foreign visitors according to your experience: (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: According to the responses, priorities of foreign tourists are as follows: - priority no.1: flexibility of the diet for those who have specific requirements (40%), next three answers show equal priority (each have 20% of the answers): - priority no.2: security, low cost, and elevator, The other offered choises according to the opinion of tourist providers are less important for the foreign tourists, and they are with equal priority. For each of those options respond 10% of the respondents (see Figure 35).

Figure 35 Question: Rate the priorities of foreign visitors according to your experience: (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

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Question: Do hotels offer flexible options for nutrition (breakfast/lunch/dinner) time? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (81%) answered: yes, if the visitor announces that he will be absent from breakfast / lunch / dinner, he will be compensated by the preparation of the so- called-launch package, and the other 19% answered: no, visitors are constantly revolted by the attitude of hotel employees. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region:  Results analysis of needs and overall satisfaction of tourists from the current accommodation offer:  There are some differences between the tourists that are visiting the two neighbouring countries.  Namely, the domestic tourists from both countries have different needs and preferences, in terms of kind of accommodation. The tourists from the country east of the border mostly prefer private accommodation-apartments, while the tourists from the country west of the border mostly prefer hotels. This trend is not the same with the foreign tourists that are visiting the both countries.  Slight differences are noticed in the needs of foreign tourists visiting the two countries. In both countries the foreign visitors are generally more attracted by hotels and rural houses where owners are present and prepare home-made food. In the country east of the border the hotels are first, and rural houses are second choice of foreign tourists (57% and 35% respectively), and in the country west of the border the rural houses are first, and hotels are second choice of foreign tourists (50% and 40% respectively).  Big differences are noticed between the priorities of foreign tourists that are visiting the both countries, which is probably due to their different origin and cultural differences between them. To be specific, in the country east of the border priorities of foreign visitors are: comfort of the bed and quality of the mattress, security, the ambient and design of the accommodation capacity, and hygiene in the bathroom. Contrary to this, in the country west of the border priorities of foreign visitors are: flexibility of the diet for those who have

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specific requirements, security, low cost, and elevator. So, only the security appears as a common priority of tourists in both countries.  According to the opinion of the respondents of the survey in both countries the hotels are offering flexible options for nutrition. This means that if the visitor announces that he will be absent from breakfast / lunch / dinner, he will be compensated by the preparation of the so-called-launch package, i.e. the guests are satisfied by the attitude of hotel employees.

5.2 Needs and offer of local traditional food and their preparation In order to get info about needs and offer of local traditional food and their preparation, in the survey questionnaire are given three question, as follows.

Question: Are local traditional dishes offered?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (61%) answered: yes, most restaurants serve traditional food, and the other 39% answered: most tend to offer international cuisine instead of emphasizing the culinary tradition.

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents (90%) answered: yes, most restaurants serve traditional food, and only 10 % think that most tend to offer international cuisine instead of emphasizing the culinary tradition.

Question: Is there an offer in the region to demonstrate to the visitors how to prepare local dishes, cooking classes, farm experiences, gardening experiences for growing spices and fresh products, etc.?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: More than half of the respondents answered that there is no offer in the region to demonstrate to the visitors how to prepare local dishes, cooking classes, farm experiences, gardening experiences for growing spices and fresh products, etc. (56%), and the other 44% answered that there is such an offer. For those who answered that

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there is an offer, it was given an option to give an example. The following answers were given: making pies; kitchen workshop; experience on the farm, cooking classes; Elshani; organizing traditional dinners and visiting local farms, sheepfolds and ranchs; and village tourism for domestic guests. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: all of the respondents (100%) have opinion that both foreign and domestic visitors are offered demonstrations of food preparation in traditional dishes, gardening and collection of wild herbs/plants for tea preparation purposes. The opinion is that local businesses notably guest houses, farms, milk processing factories, bee-keeping farms, etc, provide visitors with demonstrations of preparation of their typical products such as wine, raki, cheese, honey, collection of herbs and medicinal plants as well as vegetables from their own gardens. A positive example of these activities comes from local producer of apple bio juice “Vehip Salkurti” in Diber, fresh traditional food products offered by Guest house “Hupi”, Bulqize, and honey from bee farm “A. Zogu”, Bulqize.

Question: What do foreign visitors prefer in terms of food?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: According to the responses, most of the respondents (82%) answered that the foreign tourists prefer wine, cheese and traditional food tasting in nature, and the other 18% answered that the foreign tourists prefer a rich dinner table with international food and foreign wines (see Figure 36).

Figure 36 Question: What do foreign visitors prefer in terms of food ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: All respondents suggest that 100% of visitors prefer wine, cheese and traditional food

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tasting in nature. Often local businesses are faced with requests where visitors prefer to prepare these products themselves or at least assist in their preparation.

Figure 37 Question: What do foreign visitors prefer in terms of food ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

 Results analysis of needs and offer of local traditional food and their preparation:  Most of the respondents from both countries considered that most restaurants serve traditional food.  In terms of opinion if there is an offer in the region to demonstrate to the visitors how to prepare local dishes, cooking classes, farm experiences, gardening experiences for growing spices and fresh products, etc., in the country east of the border there are devided opinions. Slightly more than half (56%) of the respondents answered that there is no such an offer, and the other answered that there is an offer (44%). Contrary, in the country west of the border there is opinion that there is such an offer, i.e. all of the respondents said that there is an offer. However, in both countries, the positive exemples are given: making pies, kitchen workshop, experience on the farm, cooking classes, organizing traditional dinners and visiting local farms, sheepfolds and ranchs, offers of local traditional food products, juices, honey, etc.  In both countries the opinion of the respondents is that the foreign tourists prefer wine, cheese and traditional food tasting in nature (in the country east of the border this is an opinion of 82% of the respondents and in the country west of the border all respondents think that).

5.3 Needs of tourists and disadvantages of tourist offers

Question: Which location is preferred by domestic visitors?

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Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (62%) stated that the domestic tourists prefer central city area, and the other 38% stated that they prefer beyond the central metropolitan area. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents (80%) think that domestic visitors are usually attracted by central city areas, which is more typical in Dibra and Bulqiza towns. Only 20% of them would prefer beyond the central metropolitan area.

Question: What location do foreigners prefer?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers show reverse trend among foreign visitors compared to domestic ones. Namely, most of the respondents (72%) answered that the foreign tourists prefer beyond the central metropolitan area. The other 28% answered that foreign tourists prefer Central city area. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers show reverse trend among foreign visitors compared to domestic ones. Namely, most of the respondents (80%) answered that the foreign tourists prefer beyond the central metropolitan area. They are more attracted by sites of culture heritage and natural assets outside urban areas. The other 20% answered that foreign tourists prefer Central city area.

Question: Rate the experiences that domestic visitors prefer (1 worst - 5 best)

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: In order to see what domestic visitors prefer, the respondents rate them as following: 31% are for rural and traditional experiences, 23% are for hiking, mountaineering, cycling, 16 % said party, rich nightlife, visiting concerts, and 12 % answered that they prefer visiting cultural and historical monuments and horse riding, diving, bird watching (see Figure 38).

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Figure 38 Question: Rate the experiences that domestic visitors prefer (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: In order to see what domestic visitors prefer, the respondents rate them as following: 29% are for hiking, mountaineering, cycling, 22% are for rural and traditional experinces, and 14% answered that they prefer visiting cultural and historical monuments and horse riding, diving, bird watching (see Figure 39).

Figure 39 Question: Rate the experiences that domestic visitors prefer (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: Rate the experiences that foreign visitors prefer (1 worst - 5 best)

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: In order to see what foreign visitors prefer, the

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respondents rate them as following: 37% are for rural and traditional experinces, 24% are for visiting cultural and historical monuments, 20% are for hiking, mountaineering, cycling, and only 12% answered that they prefer horse riding, diving, bird watching (see Figure 40).

Figure 40 Question: Rate the experiences that foreign visitors prefer (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: In order to see what foreign visitors prefer, the respondents rate them as following: 31% are for hiking, mountaineering, cycling, 23% are for rural and traditional experinces, and 15% answered that they prefer visiting cultural and historical monuments (see Figure 41).

Figure 41 Question: Rate the experiences that foreign visitors prefer (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region) Question: What souvenirs are most often bought by foreign visitors?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers were the following: 40% answered that

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all given options are bought, 25% said handicrafts, carvings, icons, and 20% said bottles of wine or brandy, jars with ajvar or fruit jams, traditional herbs and spices, etc. (see Figure 42).

Figure 42 Question: What souvenirs are most often bought by foreign visitors ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: from given answers it can be seen that 90% of foreign visitors would like to purchase handicrafts, carvings, icons, and 60% of foreign visitors would like to purchase bottles of wine or brandy, jars with ajvar or fruit jams, traditional herbs and spices, etc. (see Figure 43).

Figure 43 Question: What souvenirs are most often bought by foreign visitors ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: What are visitors most often complaining about?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers were the following: 49% answered that the visitors complain that there is no culture for proper waste management, 31% said that it is the insufficient number of benches and sightings where they can rest and enjoy a tourist

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attraction, and 20% said that it is the limited content or up-to-date information on online sites regarding events, tours, etc. (see Figure 44).

Figure 44 Question: What are visitors most often complaining about ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers were the following: 42% answered that the visitors complain that there is no culture for proper waste management, 33% said that it is the inadequate access to the desired tourist attraction, and 25% said that it is the insufficient number of benches and sightings where they can rest and enjoy a tourist attraction (see Figure 45).

Figure 45 Question: What are visitors most often complaining about ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: How would you evaluate service providers? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers were fifty-fifty, namely 50% answered that service providers show a service culture in the delivery of services for visitors, and other

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50% said that there is a lack of sensitivity to the expectations and needs of different groups of passengers, as well as a lack of ability to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of passengers. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Agency representatives declare that tourism service providers show a service culture in the delivery of services for visitors (70%). The other (30%) said that there is a lack of sensitivity to the expectations and needs of different groups of passengers, as well as a lack of ability to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of passengers. Question: What kind of accommodation do the visitors that are staying on a mountain prefer?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (93%) said that the visitors that stay on a mountain prefer small rural and authentic wooden houses, and the other (7%) said that they prefer hotels with an all-inclusive offer. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: All of the respondents (100%) said that the visitors that stay on a mountain prefer small rural and authentic wooden houses. Some of them would add that other tourists prefer campers, caravans or camping tents especially in spring-summer period.  Results analysis of needs of tourists and disadvantages of tourist offers:  There are a lot of similarity and some slight differences between the tourists that are visiting the two neighboring countries.  The domestic tourists from both countries prefer central city area as location for stay, rather then beyond the central metropolitan area. In both countries there is reverse trend among foreign visitors compared to domestic ones. Namely, the foreign tourists from both countries prefer beyond the central metropolitan area as location for stay, rather then central city area.  The domestic tourists, as well as the foreign tourists, in both countries prefer: rural and traditional experiences; hiking, mountaineering, cycling; cultural and historical monuments and horse riding, diving, bird watching.  The domestic tourists, as well as the foreign tourists, in both countries most often bought handicrafts, carvings, icons, and also they bought bottles of wine or brandy, jars with ajvar or fruit jams, traditional herbs and spices, etc.

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 When we are talking about complains of the visitors in both countries is simmilar trend. Namely, the visitors complain that there is no culture for proper waste management and there is insufficient number of benches and sightings where they can rest and enjoy a tourist attraction. In the country east of the border some tourists are also complaining that there is a limited content or up- to-date information on online sites regarding events, tours, etc. In the country west of the border some tourists are also complaining that there is inadequate access to the desired tourist attraction.  There is a difference in the countries when we are taking about evaluation of service providers. In the country east of the border for two offered options the answers are fifty-fifty, and in the country west of the border most of the respondents (70%) declare that tourism service providers show a service culture in the delivery of services for visitors. The remaining 30% of the respondents think that there is a lack of sensitivity to the expectations and needs of different groups of passengers, as well as a lack of ability to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of passengers.  On question what kind of accommodation prefer tourists which stay on a mountain, in both countries most of the respondents (93% in the country east of the border, and all in the country west of the border) said that they prefer small rural and authentic wooden houses. In the country east of the border a small percentage (only 7%) said that they prefer hotels with an all-inclusive offer.

5.4 Assessment of the infrastructure in the region

Question: Assess the situation with the infrastructure in the region (1 worst - 5 best) Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers of question that give which infrastructure is worst are the following: 19% said that worst are paths, ramps, aids for people

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with disabilities and bird watching, 18% said that worst are line connection to the airport, and 14% said that are bicycle paths (see Figure 46).

Figure 46 Question: Assess the situation with the infrastructure in the region (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers of question that give which infrastructure is worst are the following: 15% said that worst are paths, ramps, aids for people with disabilities and line connection to the airport, and 11% said that worst are bird watching, bicycle paths, and sightseeing and mountain lodges (see Figure 47).

Figure 47 Question: Assess the situation with the infrastructure in the region (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

 Results analysis of situation with the infrastructure in the region:  The situation with the infrastructure in the regions in both countries is similar. According to the opinion of the respondents, the worst infrastructure in both countries are paths, ramps, aids for people with disabilities, line connection to

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the airport, as well as bird watching and bicycle paths. In the country west of the border also sightseeing and mountain lodges are in the bad condition.

5.5 Marketing activities and its effectiveness Question: What marketing activities does your company undertake to reach the final consumer and what actions have been shown to be most effective? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: There are 64 answers, some of them point the same activities, like: 4 respondents said low prices, 3 respondents said advertisements and online advertisements, 2 said clean environment and affordable prices, and also 2 said location, booking, and advertisement on facebook. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Among activities undertaken by agencies for the purpose of increasing of numbers of visitors, which had proven to be most effective mainly in Bulqiza and Dibra Municipalities, were declared to be: Preparation of tourist packages with offers; registration at booking.com; organization of fairs; ensuring transportation to some destinations; ensuring electric power in campings and inclusion of breakfast to tourists; participation at meetings and training seminars in Diber, preparation of information tables by the municipalities, attending of seminars provided by different associations, etc.  Results analysis about undertaken marketing activities and what have been shown to be most effective:  It is obvious that there are very different approaches, both within each country and between the two countries, and all activites mentioned above can be usefull marketing tools. Most effective marketing activities of tourist providers from the country east of the border are: low prices, advertisements and online advertisements, clean environment, and location. Most effective marketing activities of tourist providers from the country east of the border are: advertisements and online advertisements, tourist packages, transport, fairs, and seminars.

5.6 Use of electronic commerce Question: Do visitors prefer to pay electronically and whether the number of electronic buyers has increased compared to the past years?

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Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents said yes (65%), and the other (35%) said no. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents said yes (60%), and the other (40%) said no. Interviewees admit that only a few hotels with a good accomodation standards, offer this facility, while the market is dominated by “cash” based services.

Question: Which of the following websites are most often used by visitors to book accommodation or excursion?

Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers were the following: most of them (60%) answered booking, 15% said trip advisor, 14% said that they don’t know, 10% said guest to guest, and only 1% said lonelyplanet (see Figure 48).

Figure 48 Question: Which of the following websites are most often used by visitors to book accommodation or excursion ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region)

Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers were the following: half of them (50%) answered booking, 40% said that they don’t know, and 10% of them said guest to guest (see Figure 49).

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Figure 49 Question: Which of the following websites are most often used by visitors to book accommodation or excursion ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

 Results analysis of usage of electronic commerce:  There are simmilar answers in both countries in terms of usage of electronic commerce.  In both countries most of the respondents said that the visitors prefer to pay electronically and that the number of electronic buyers has increased compared to the past years.  On question about most often used websites by visitors to book accommodation or excursion, the answers in both countries are similar. Namely, in both countries the most used website by visitors is booking, and big number of respondents do not know which site is used the most. Some of the visitors of both countries said that is also used guest to guest. The visitors of the country east of the border also use trip advisor.

5.7 Quality and price of services

In order to get info about the quality and price of services, in the survey questionnaire are given four question, as follows. Question: What is the quality of the offered accommodation in the hotels? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (90%) stated that the offered accommodation in the hotels has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to

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them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it. Only 10% answered that the offered accommodation in the hotels has unsatisfactory quality, visitors complain about poor service, hygiene, poor food and inadequate supply with reality. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents (60%) stated that the offered accommodation in the hotels has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it. Other (40%) answered that the offered accommodation in the hotels has unsatisfactory quality, visitors complain about poor service, hygiene, poor food and inadequate supply with reality.

Question: What is the quality of the offered accommodation in the private accommodation? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (92%) stated that the offered accommodation in the private accommodation has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it. Only 8% answered that the offered accommodation in the private accommodation has unsatisfactory quality, visitors complain about poor service, hygiene, poor food and inadequate supply with reality. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents (80%) stated that the offered accommodation in the private accommodation has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it. Only 20% answered that the offered accommodation in the private accommodation has unsatisfactory quality, visitors complain about poor service, hygiene, poor food and inadequate supply with reality. Question: What is often the lack of accommodations? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers are as follows: 39% of the respondents stated that there is no bicycle parking or storage space for sports equipment, 28% said that there is no option for those traveling with their pet, and 18% said that there are no more toilets (see Figure 50).

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Figure 50 Question: What is often the lack of accommodations ? (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers are as follows: 28% said that there is no option for those traveling with their pet, 22% said the non-cultural behavior of the hosts, and 17% said the green areas around the accommodation capacity are untidy and social, sexual, religious discrimination (see Figure 51).

Figure 51 Question: What is often the lack of accommodations ? (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)

Question: Are visitors willing to pay a higher price for a better quality of accommodation? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents (93%) said that the visitors

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are willing to pay a higher price for a better quality of accommodation, and the other (7%) said that they are not willing to pay higher price. Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents (70%) said that the visitors are willing to pay a higher price for a better quality of accommodation. Other 30% think that they are not willing to pay higher price.  Results analysis of quality and price of services:  There are a lot of similarity and some slight differences in answers for quality and price of services in the two neighboring countries.  The offered accommodation in both countries is with satisfactory quality. Namely, according to the quality of the offered accommodation in the hotels, most of the respondents in both countries stated that the offered accommodation in the hotels has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it. According to the quality of the offered accommodation in the private accommodation, most of the respondents in both countries stated that the offered accommodation in the private accommodation has satisfactory quality, visitors receive the services offered to them and mention that they would reside in the apartment or recommend it.  On question about lack of accommodations in both countries said that there is no option for those traveling with their pet. There are other different answers in each country. In the country east of the border most of the respondents said that there is no bicycle parking or storage space for sports equipment. Some also think that there are no more toilets. In the country west of the border some of the respondents said that there is a non-cultural behavior of the hosts. Some also think that the green areas around the accommodation capacity are untidy and there is social, sexual, and religious discrimination.

5.8 Life-cycle of tourism services and products Question: Are you familiar with the Tourism Area Life Cycle Model? Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: Most of the respondents said no (66%), and the other (34%) said yes.

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Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: Most of the respondents said no (90%), and the other (10%) said yes.  Results analysis of life-cycle of tourism services and products:  In both countries most of the respondents answered that they are not familiar with the Tourism Area Life Cycle Model. This is important tool for creating attractive tourist offer and to keep and increase customers. It will be useful and it is recommended to conduct training and direct mentorship of relevant stakeholders, to equip them with skills and knowledge how to establish this Model in order to offer high-quality tourist destinations and services and to increase the development of their touristic offer.

5.9 Defining future priorities Question: Rate the priorities that need to be taken in the future: Answered by tourist providers from Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse: The answers were the following: 39% answered modernization of the road infrastructure for visitors, 35% said increasing the digital communications and skills of social media for tourism operators and owners of accommodation facilities, and 26% said modernization and diversification of accommodation capacities (see Figure 52).

Figure 52 Question: Rate the priorities that need to be taken in the future: (answers of tourist providers from the east part of the border region) Answered by local agencies’ representatives from Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region: The answers were the following: 40% answered modernization of the road infrastructure for visitors, 35% said increasing the digital communications and skills of social

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media for tourism operators and owners of accommodation facilities, and 25% said modernization and diversification of accommodation capacities (see Figure 53).

Figure 53 Question: Rate the priorities that need to be taken in the future: (answers of local agencies’ representatives from the west part of the border region)  Results analysis of future priorities:  In both countries the priorities that need to be taken in the future are reted the same, as following:  Priority 1: modernization of the road infrastructure for visitors,  Priority 2: increasing the digital communications and skills of social media for tourism operators and owners of accommodation facilities, and  Priority 3: modernization and diversification of accommodation capacities.

6 TYPES OF TOURISM ACCORDING TO THE POTENTIALS OF CBC REGION

6.1 Activity, adventure and sports tourism Activity tourism Activity tourism entails a large spectrum of activities and experiences, including effort (walking, riding, cycling), or taking part in water activities (surfing, diving, wind-surfing, sailing etc). The border CBC territory is a typical mountainous area consisting of hills and high mountains. Hence it is clear that the relief structure allows tourists to enjoy activities, such as climbing/rock climbing, hiking, biking etc. Alongside the border it is situated the Korab Mountain Massif, a typical Alpine mountain with many peaks higher than 2,500 meters. The Korab Mountain Massif rises from the right side of the Radika River Valley, i.e. on the Western Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 106

side of the National Park Mavrovo, in the far western part of the country, along the border, from the mountain peak Sherupa (2,092 m) in the North, to the mountain peak Rudina (2,238 m) to the South. The Korab Massif is composed of three mountains that are mutually interconnected in direction from North to the South (Korab, Desat and Krcin).46 The mountain provides opportunities for: hiking, technical climbing, sport climbing, alpine climbing, toprope, ice climbing. Hiking: Korab has to offer its magical beauty, with its beautiful colours and vivid and adventurous terrain. Most of the trails on this massif are well marked. Mountain Climbing: some of the surrounding peaks and it summits require technical ascent, alpine tie, belayed or solo, there are dozens of peaks that arise tall in the Korab massif that are beautiful climbing experience and even more that await their First Ascents. In general, they characterise with steep rock faces. The Bistra Mountain rises in the East and South-east part of the National Park Mavrovo, to the South from the mountain pass Vlainitsa (1,310 m); through the Mavrovo Valley and Mavrovska Reka to the mountain pass Yama (1,507 m), the Valley of Mala Reka River and the valleys of its tributaries Garska and Yamska Reka River. On top of the mountain Bistra, there is a horses ranch, and the curious beginners accompanied by instructors have an opportunity to experience horse-riding through the mountain. At the very top, the view is spectacular. The green color that dominates meets the blue of the Mavrovo Lake, behind which one can see Korab with the highest peaks in the country. The mountain is one of the most accessible mountains in the country . Thus, climbing Bistra to enjoy the excellent mountain landscape is much easier and the mountain can be easily climbed in the period from June to September. The months of March and April are not recomended for climbing, regarding the lots of snow that are present in the higher parts of the range. Medenica (2,169 m a.s.l.) is the highest peak on the Bistra Mountain. The territory of the National Park Mavrovo, has many trails that can be used for hiking. Mavrovo knowing that is a National Park and has astonishing landscape, from the lake, the gorges, waterfalls, pine forests, the karst fields and huge variety of wildlife, makes a perfect destination for leisure hiking, family trails or advanced mountaineering trails. Some of the hiking trails in the area of Mavrovo Valley and mountain Bistra are: Info point - Peak Koza - (marked recreational trail); Mavrovo - Peak Medenica - Galicnik (marked trail for well-

46 http://npmavrovo.org.mk/?page_id=225&lang=en Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 107

prepared hikers); Galichnik - Janche (one of the historic trails in the region); round trail above Leunovo (multi use-path above the village Leunovo: April-November for hiking, running, and December-March for ski mountaineering); village Nikiforovo - Peak Sandaktash. Mountain Galicica is craggy mountain where nature lovers and mountaineers can admire the impressive glacial cirques, caves etc. The most attractive path to choose is the one that goes over the mountain, connecting Ohrid and Prespa Regions. By hiking or riding a bycicle on the asphalt road it can be reached the central part at a hight of 1,550 m a.s.l. For brave mountaineers, the real challenge is mountaineering the Magaro Peak. The relief of the National Park Galichica give possibilities for mountaineering, hiking. All those who are interested for hiking on Hinoska Trail (Shtegu i Hinoskës), currently arranged for those leaving from Tirana in a 3 days-tour with sleep-over in tents, must know that this a trail of a moderate difficulty which would take some 7 hours of mountain landscape walk to be completed. A stopover on the way might be done at Korabi Waterfall-a natural monument. Especially in August, Hinoska highland is quite rich in raspberry, blueberries, wild strawberries, along with a rich variety of other medicinal plants. Adventure tourism: Adventure tourism is providing adventure for participants. They may be different and riskier, extreme or unsusal than sporting tours: sea kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, canoying, bungee-jumping. The Korab Mountain Massif, as it was previously mentioned, provides opportunities for: rock climbing, alpine climbing, toprope, ice climbing. There are bolted sport climbing routes in the grades range from 6a up to 9a into the Korab region and it surroundings. Up in the Korab heights there are some existing trad lines, and endless potential for new ones. Magaro Peak, one of the highest peaks on Mountain Galicica, for the brave one, is the real destination for paragliding. Tandem flights are the easiest, fastest and safest way to experience paragliding for the first time. Ohrid, Struga and Mountain Galicica are perfect places for this experience. The National Park of Mavrovo, offer amazing conditions and terrain for outdoor sports especially for paragliding. Ohrid Region (Ohrid and Struga) are perfect for hot air baloon adventure as well. The original remains of paleaolithic settlement on the banks of the Ohrid Lake can be seen and pics underwater during diving.

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Galicica is a destination for those who want to glance at the lake high from the mountain, for the lovers of mountain biking or for the adrenaline seekers that, undoubtedly, would try a parachute adventure. Dibra region adventure tourism can be seen in the possibilities for rafting, canoeing, and practicing many water sports on water of Black Drin River. In the region, the tribundaries of Black Drin River, and other rivers are offering rafting experiences. The Mavrovo Lake with its surrounding landscapes and mountain silence offers an unforgettable experience on the Kayak or the SUP board. In the National Park Mavrovo, within the Radika River watershed, altogether 16 canyons and 42 caves have been recorded. Radika river can be explored by kayak, enjoying all the beauty of the valley from a different point of view.47 Black Drin and its tributaries cover a large surface, yet almost unknown so far for rafting experiences. Black Drin and its tributaries constitutes the longest river flow in the country getting across a territory of 1,569 km2 with an overall length of 179 km of linear length. Seta, represents perhaps the biggest challenge for rafting practitioners such challenge is renewed every spring where water flow is at its natural maximum, yet to feed irrigation channels. Velesica (15 km), which fills its flow from Korabi sources, is also the best combination of mountain tourism, with rafting through canyons which change shape continuously before reaching Zall-Kalis and unite with Black Drin waters. Seta has a spectacular source in Gurë-Lurë, and all along its length of 13 km up to uniting with Drin River in Arras, is the river where the daring raft practitioners might decide to adventure through a narrow canyon, so narrow that tops seem to meet. One local declared that Seta canyon, on its water flow, no one has dared to come across. Waterfalls in natural steep sides, vortexes and what locals would call “black holes”, are pretty scary and prevent many from trying to get through. Black Drin enters the country and region in Gjorica area and flows up to Fierza Lake for 57 km. Black Drin offers an abundant river flow both in winter and summer season which enables practicing of many water sports, individual and collective, canoeing with single canoes or with boats of medium and large sizes. Journey through Black Drin may start at Topojani Bridge, at the river delta of New Katund, at the strait of Muhurr where it encounters Murra. Hinoska Trail has become part of a new product of adventure tourism also known as High Scardus Trail, which has an overall length of 495 km. It connects highlands of border

47 http://tutto.com.mk/trek-bike-kajak.html Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 109

triangle of Kosovo and the two neighbouring countries of the targeted region in our project, thus constituting an important perspective for tourism development of Cross-border region. There is still need to further support such initiative in terms of promotion. A perfect adventure way to explore the country up close and opportunity to take time out to enjoy the breathtaking beauty around you is with jeep safari. Jeep safari is an oportunity in Ohrid, and there is jeep safari (off-road driving) through the Kuratica over Mazatar the highest peak of Plakenska Mountain (2,000 m). Mountain biking is about experiencing flow and taking strength from being in the midst of the impressive mountain scenery. The possibilities in Mavrovo are almost never-ending story, the routes are diverse and varied, you can find challenging ones for beginners and recreational bikers, as well as trails for experienced mountain bikers and fans of higher altitudes. Some of the Mount bike trails in the area: Gorna reka trail (for physically well prepared riders); trail trough the landscapes (one of the most beautiful trails for mountain biking in the National Park Mavrovo); trail from Mavrovo through Bistra Mountain to Lazoropole (path that trademark Mavrovo National Park as a destination for mountain biking); trail around Lazoropole. Sport tourism Ski Mountaineering/Free Ride on Korab: during the winter Korab massif offers enormous potential for backcountry skiing. Whether you go for putting new ski lines, or go for the existing ones, it is hard to do the whole in a lifetime. You can go for ski summiting some of the peaks as well as Golem Korab, or you can explore new freeride lines in the mounting skiing on this mountain heaven. There are organised multi-day winter ski expeditions, with sleeping high in the mountains in the sheepfolds or in base camps. The biggest Ski center in the country east of the border, Mavrovo, is on Bistra Mountain. For over 50 years, snow, hospitality, tradition and sophisticated tranquility have been attracting winter sports enthusiasts from all over Europe to Ski Center Mavrovo. It is not only ambitious sportspeople who appreciate this heavenly winter landscape. The winter season, which runs from December until April also has plenty to offer walkers, hikers, gourmets and culture lovers. There is a ski school where you can learn skiing, carving, and snowboarding, you can rent and service of ski and snowboard equipment, there is a polygon for beginners, tobogganing zone, snowshoeing, snow park, snow biking, nordic/cross-country skiing, ski touring, splitboarding, snowcat freeride, mountain huts, apres ski bars, restaurants and free parking.

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Alpine skiing is a major priority in Ski Mavrovo. For decades has been known as the “cradle of Alpine skiing” and casts a spell over enthusiastic skiers year after year, winter after winter. Night skiing is also available during the weekend. Traditionally through the years in Ski Mavrovo have been held various types of official national, regional and european ski cups which makes Mavrovo even more challenging and puts it on the european “must visit” list of ski resorts. Cross-country or Nordic skiing is best sports to discover the vast uncharted terrain of the magical landscape in Bistra. Ski Center Mavrovo offers 30 km of cross-country skiing trails, from which “Mirna Dolina” is the most famous where also the traditional “Mavrovski Memorijal” is held as a prestige Balkan Cup. All the lifts are suitable for snowboarders and you can find riding opportunities for beginners and intermediate skilled riders but you can also find challenging runs for experts. Within the snowboarding the Ski Center has history with long list of national, regional, european cups which took place in border-cross, parallel slalom and giant slalom, as well the freestyle segment is happening in the Snow Park. The splitboarding culture as well as the ski touring culture is growing year by year. The Bistra massif with it`s vast terrain offers huge varieties of riding lines suitable for every level. Snowshoeing is activity which brings the non-skiers in a position to explore the mountain, enjoy the silent sunny days with friends and take photos around Bistra masif. The activity that brings the biggest joy and happiness in the family especially to the kids is sledding. Behind Trifkova Koliba bar/restaurant, Ski center Mavrovo have a polygon for sledding just to give an opportunity for the youngest to enjoy their winter fun at a completely closed, fenced safe zone. Galicnik winter adventure is the opportunity to enjoy Galicnik in wintertime. Due to heavy snowfall, the asphalt road Mavrovo-Galicnik is closed during wintertime. Therefore, in order to reach Galicnik, is required to hike from the nearby village of Jance (cca 5.5 km or 2.5 hours hike). On Mountain Galicica, considered as a potential, there are new trails especially for freeride skiing and snowboarding, that extend at the north side of Old Galicica under the two highest peaks. These areas are characterized by snow remaining long period during the winter,

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which are now partly used by adventurers seeking more adrenaline. These areas are difficult to access especially in the winter and they can be accessed only on foot.48 The geographical features, the climate, the rich flora and fauna, make the Debar Lake a miraculous treasure, which slowly but surely becomes interesting touristic location for recreational fishing and water sports. Debar Lake offers ideal conditions for all types of sports in peaceful waters: rowing, recreational fishing. When discussing summer holidays, Ohrid offers a lot - starting from big beaches with bars, cocktails and music, till small hidden sandy beaches. Sailing, swimming, diving or cruising at the lake will provide a memorable experience and joy. The Ohrid swimming marathon is a regular open water race from the Grand Prix series of the International Swimming Federation, held annually in August on the route known as “Klime Savin” from the monastery complex St. Naum to the city harbor in Ohrid, covering a total length of 30 km. Along Black Drin River bed, some investments have been made to develop river tourism; some of them worth to mention are: coffee shops, restaurants, sport facilities in some rural areas such as Potgorcë, Topojan, Gradec, Selane, Katund i Ri, Muhurr, Fushë Alie, Reç etc. Given the vicinity of these areas with other inhabited area, together with Peshkopia town, there has been an increasing trend and number of visitors attracted by river tourism or alternative forms of holidays. The Brook of Seta, originates from Lura Mountain, providing 19 villages with potable water along with 4 irrigation channels. Part of it is also Saponika waterfall, a nature monument of third rate, which is protected area (no constructions are allowed on it); nevertheless, this natural beauty is endangered from the construction of the fourth HEC in the area. Murra (19 km), which gushes from mountain of Katër Grykëve të Murrës, especially from sources of Shtrunga, where there is a chain of lakes, beautiful and little visited, has a consistent flow, which mainly after Lunara, offers opportunities to practice river sports through a stunning landscape. Zalli i Zerqanit (29 km) together with Okshtuni (34 km) with sources originating respectively from Vajkal of Bulqiza and Prodan of Golloborda, are touristic water trails which are also related to war resistance and popular folk culture. An old song would say that Hajredin Pasha, a Turkish leader, at the river delta where Gjorica meets Drini River, “Perished nothing

48 http://skimacedonia.mk/en/ski-center/suvo-pole/ Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 112

less than twelve thousand…” Molla (18 km), takes waters from Kunorë e Lurës, lakes whose name and history has gone from generation to another, descending in a magnificent landscape towards villages of Krej-Lura, Arrmolla, Gjurë Reçi, and finally meet Black Drin waters.

6.2 Culural tourism (heritage and festival/event tourism) Cultural tourism may be beneficial as it can strengthen the local economy, promote protection of cultural heritage, increase visitors’ consumption, create employment, increase the awareness of the local population for the heritage which they possess. Cultural tourism may also cause damage from increased visit, overuse, and improper use of protected cultural heritage not taking into consideration its value, which can cause permanent damage. Heritage tourism The whole CBC region has rich cultural-historical heritage, which give a potential for cultural tourism development. Many monasteries and churches, fortresses, towers, and other heritage from Anric, Roman and Medieval period is characteristic for the regions. This is a large potential for heritage tourism of the CBC region. Cultural –historical monuments in Centar Zupa are: St. John the Baptist Monastery, St. Nicholas Church, the village of Glavino and “Kalina Dupka”, the small church of Saint George and the “Gjurepi” spring, the chapel dedicated to Saint Archangel Michael, the small church dedicated to Saint Athanasius, the small church dedicated to Saint Paraskeva - Petka, The small church of Holy Salvation and the great cross on Sokolica, Memorial house of the Ataturk’s family in Kodzadzik. The city of Ohrid is double protected by UNESCO as a cultural and natural heritage. Samuel’s fortress is located above the city, whose walls date back to 2,000 years ago and used to be a home to a variety of soldiers and armies. Ohrid - monasteries: St. Naum and St. Panteleimon-Plaosnik (IX century); Church of St. Sophia (XI century), Holy Virgin of Perivleptus (XIII century), St. Jovan Bogoslov-Kaneo (XIII century), St. Erazmo (XIV century), St. Stefan (middle ages), St. Nikola Bolni (XIV century), Sv. Mali Vraci (XIV century), St. Konstantin and Elena (XIV century), St. Dimitrija (XIV century), St. Bogorodica Church (XIV century), St. Petka - Velogosti, Uspenie na St. Bogorodica (XV vek) - Velestovo, St. Nikola (XIV vek) - St. Petka - Velgosti, St. Bogorodica Zaumska, St. Bogorodica Pestanska, St. Spas Openica. Debar - monasteries: St. Gjorgji Pobedonosec (XIX century); Church: St. Peter (XII century), St. Varvara (XVI century) - Rajcica. Struga - monasteries: St. Mary with cave church (15th century) - Kalista; St. Gjorgji (XVI century), cave churches: St. Arhangel

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Mihail (XIII century) - Radozda and St.Spas (XV century) - Visnja, basilica dedicated to St. Mary (XI century ) - Vranista. Monuments to culture from Islamic religion: Ajdar pasha mosque (XV century), Zejnel Abidin-pasha (XVII century) - Ohrid. Towers and fortresses: Ohrid - Samoil’s fortress, Gradishta locality, Kiklop fortresses; Center Zupa - Kale (Kodzadzik); Debar - Udovo. Monuments, memorials, museums: Ohrid - Monument to fallen fighters from the National Liberation War, National Museum, Museum of Slovenian Literature, Icon Gallery etc.; Struga - Monument to fallen fighters from the National Liberation War, Natural Science Museum Nikola Nezlobinski, Memorial House on the Miladinovci Brothers, icon gallery, etc. The region has a significant number of attractive cultural localities/sites, which can act independently as a tourist offer, but on the other hand they can supplement attractiveness of certain events (uniqueness, history, tradition, ethnography, etc.).49 Best known cultural events: Struga’s Poetry Evenings, Galichnik Wedding Festival, Vevcani Carnival. CBC region in Albania The CBC region in Albania is rich in terms of different cultural and historical sites, which can be visited and be included in the touristic packages. Historical objects are represented especially by castles and towers, which could be visited by leaving Burrel to the following distances from city center. Main archeological objects of the area are: Rruga e vjetër e Arbrit (Old Arbri Road), urat e tipit Venecian (Venetian-type Bridges), such as Ura e Allamanit (Allaman’s Bridge)- 18 km, Ura e Halilëve (Halilaj Bridge)- 19 km, Ura e Hoxhës (Muslim Priest Bridge)- 24 km, Ura e Vashës (Maind’s Bridge) -23 km far from town center, etc. More objects would be: Kalaja e Skënderbeut (Skanderbeg’s Castle)- 30 km, rrënojat Kalasë së Komsis (Ruins of Komsis Castle)- 8 km, Kulla e Dedollit (Dedolli Tower)- 25 km, Qyteti dhe Kalaja e Varoshit (varoshi castle)- 27 km, kullat e Macukullit (Macukulli Towers) -25 km, Sarajet e Zogut (King’s Mason) (Burgajet)- 14 km, Shtëpia muze e Rexhep Lleshit (Home/Museum of Rexhep Lleshi)- 28 km, Memoriali i Kuvendit të Dukagjinit (1602) (Memorial of Dukagjini Council) - 20 km, Varri i Turkut (Grave of Turks) - 18 km, Stanet e Nelëve (Nelaj’s Barn) - 30 km, powder manufacturing site in Sherapop - 25 km.

49 Master Thesis: Meaning and potential of events for tourism development in the South-west Region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 114

Burim Mosque, Kërçisht Church, Grezhdan Castle, Kërçin Castle, Herbel Churches, Buraviku I Begjunecit, Gradeci Castle ruins(Zdojan), Kullaku Castle (Brezhdan), Churches in Dohoshisht, Kepi i Qytetit, Scanderbeg Museum(Sinë), Dine Hoxha Tower, Klan Dera Tower, Elez Murra Towers, Teqja e Sefere (Arap i poshtëm), Teqja e Mere(Lishan i Epërm), Lisi në varrezat të Like, Christians Cemetery, Sefer CanitTower. Bridge of maiden, Castle of Skanderbeg, Petralbe, Rexhep Lleshi House museum, the Tower of Dedoll, Mali me gropa, Founts of White Stone, Great Light Qaf-Murrizë, The old Arber road, Pergja Lusa Cave, Place of gunpowder production Sherapop, Church of St. Nicholas, Sarjat e Zogut (Burgajet), Town of Varosh + castle, Grave of the Turk, the castle ruins of Komsi, Kalirec Church, Church of Fushë Bazë, Stream of Thana, the statue of Mother Theresa, Ulez Church, Stojan Church, Bushkash Church, ruins of churches Dukagjin (Shën Mëri, Ishtotri), Memorial of Dukagjin assembly (1602), Ruins of St. Trinity church, towers of Macukull, Neziv Cave, Cave of Këputes. Teqja e Bllacës, Teqja e babë Shehut (Boçevë), Kovashica Church, Marke Tower, KurteTower (Shupenzë), Vleshë Mosque, Krajka Town, Plain of the Castle, Kaziak Church, Cemetery Peak(Sofraçan), Palin of Gurra, Lapidar of the partisan battalion creation, Lapidar of national martir Mane Kazani, Lapidar of Tercilio Kardinali.50 Festival/ event tourism Event tourism include: cultural and entertainment events,carnivals, festivals, business events known as “MICE” (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions). Table 7 Manifestations51 Manifestation Region Date Vevcani Carnival Vevcani 13-14 January Prlicevi Besedi Ohrid 5-6 February Vevchani Cultural Summer Vevcani 26 June - 08 August International Film Festival Ohrid 29 June - 04 July Vevcanski viduvanja Vevcani 29 June - 11 July Eco Festival Ohrid June Balkan Festival of Folk Songs Ohrid 06 - 11 July and Dances Galicnik Wedding Mavrovo-Rostuse 12 July

50 Dibra Regional Development Strategy 2012-2016; http://www.qarkudiber.gov.al/te- ngarkuara/2013/12/Strategjia-e-Qarkut-Diber-Eng.docx-1.pdf 51 Master Thesis: Meaning and potential of events for tourism development in the South-west Region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 115

Ohrid Summer Festival Ohrid 12 July - 20 August Sailing Regatta Ohrid/Struga 31 July - 02 August International Sailing Regatta Ohrid/Struga 02 August August Memories Vevcani 07-08 August Zivko Cingo Nights Ohrid 13 August Velestovsky Poetry Evenings Ohrid 17 August International Folk Festival Vevcani 18-19 August “Pobrazanje” Ohrid Trubadurs Ohrid 21-24 August International Horus Festival Ohrid 23-27 August Ohrid 25 August Ranway of folk costumes “Kenge Struga Beginning of August Jeho” International Handbool Tournir Struga Middle of August Ohrid Swimming Maraton Ohrid Middle of August Balkan Mucis Square Ohrid Middle of August Wine and Cheese Festival Ohrid Middle of August Struga Poetry Evenings Struga End of August Ranway of paragliders and Ohrid End of August paraglider jumpers Ohrid Sofra Ohrid End of August Struga Music Autmn Struga Middle of September

In the Polog Region, througout the year are organized many cultural, sports, entertainment and other events (20 in total).52 Most famous in the target region are the: Galicnik Wedding (July 12, St. Peter's Day - Galicnik), Snow Cities (Kids resort “Bunec” - Mavrovo), Mavrovski Memorial (March, ski competition - Mavrovo). Galicnik Wedding Festival is part of Galichko Leto Festival (Galicnik Summer) and it is a two-day event held on the weekend nearest to 12 July and it serves as a cultural and tourist attraction. The event contributes to foster customs, folk songs, games and dances, and Galicnik’s ethnic costumes. In June, the famous “Mavrovo Assembly” is held with the participation of numerous ensembles, folklore and revue groups.53

52 Master Thesis: Meaning and potential of events for tourism development in the South-west Region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid 53 http://makedonija.name/land/zare-lazarevski-mavrovo-ski-resort Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 116

In the resent years (since 2015) it is held Narcissus Festival - Lazaropole. After 30 years, the festival of narcissus has been restored in 2015 to continue the tradition of our ancestors. The manifestation is traditional, it is held in may, when narcissus blossom.54The great significance and ethno-character of the South-west Region is also due to organization of a lot of events (81 in total).55 The Ohrid Summer Festival (see the figure below) is one of the largest and most important music and drama festivals in the country. The first concert took place in 1961 in the church of St. Sophia, with its exceptional acoustics. The festival has international character, there have been participants from 44 countries.56

Figure 54 Ohrid Summer Festival Prlicevi besedi is one of the oldest cultural manifestations in Ohrid, which traditionaly every year is held on 5 and 6 February in the Cultural Center “Gligor Prlicev” in Ohrid.57 Struga Poetry Evenings is the world’s largest poetic manifestation, which first time was held on 15 July 1961. Several prestigious awards are awarded to the festival, among which the “Golden Wreath” award, the “Miladinov Brathers” award, the “Bridges of Struga” award with support to UNESCO, the “Enhalon” award and others.58

54 https://www.facebook.com/640293546104661/photos/a.772280599572621/793433444124003/?type=3 55 Master Thesis: Meaning and potential of events for tourism development in the South-west Region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid 56 http://macedoniaexperience.com/about-macedonia/culture-events-calendar#ohrid_summer 57 http://www.centarzakulturaohrid.com.mk/prlicevi-besedi.html 58 http://svp.org.mk/?lang=en Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 117

Figure 55 Struga Poetry Evenings Drimon Festival is festival for culture processing which is held last week of July. It is held in Struga since 2013. The objective of the five-day program is to provide an access to contemporary art works, promotion of independent film, literature, theatrical and music scene, to stimulate cultural activism.59 The Balkan Festival of folk songs and dances is an international folklore event established in 1962. The festival is hosting vocal and instrumental bands and solo singers presenting their authentic folk creations and traditional culture through horas, songs, rites, traditional clothes, local costumes, traditional musical instruments, and handicraftsThe festival is member of the UNESCO Associations of CIOFF (The International Council of the Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folklore Art), and IOFA (The International Organization for Folklore Art. Velestovsky Poetry Evenings (Poetry Night in Velestovo) is the top event of its kind in the country, founded in 1989. Since its first edition, it hosted the most important poets and painters of the country. Vevcani Carnival is a traditional event, as old as the village of Vevcani (1,400 years), and it is considered a cultural and tourist attraction. Vevcani Carnival is essentially a custom with masks, called “Saint Vasilja” (Vasilica). It is dedicated to St. Basil the Great. It is the day of the New Christian Orthodox year.60 Each year, on the January, 19th, Ohrid hosts one of the greatest religious events, Epiphany (Vodici). Hundreds of boys from all over the Balkans jump into the cold waters of the lake to catch the holy cross. It is believed that the one that catches it, will be blessed with good health, happiness and luck all year round.

59 http://drimonfestival.org/?page_id=213&lang=en 60 http://tourismmacedonia.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/A-gudie-to-the-famous-products- places-landmarks-and-events-in-Macedonia.pdf Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 118

All along its flow Black Drin there is Zallë-Dardhë which is the cradle of folk Dibra songs; after, the flow would stretch narrowly between mountains of Reçi and Kalisi, which seen from far, gives the impression of a distance which could be bridged “in a single step”.

6.3 Health and wellness tourism Health tourism is a development category whose resources are concentrated in the Debar basin. Developmental capacities based on the wellness and temperature of the waters are far greater than those that are activated and therefore the spa tourism in the region deserves special attention as a perspective. Kosovrasti spa is located east of Debar at the distance of 8 km, at the height of 550 meters above the sea level, near the Dolno Kosovrasti village. The mineral waters of this spa- resort in many small waterfalls and through numerous rocks used to flow into the river Radika. Today, at the same location the power plant Spilje has been built, situated on the shore of the Debar Lake. Apart from the Kosovrasti spa services, it offers the visitors the opportunity to enjoy the lake's beaches and the landscape of the striking valley of one of the most beautiful rivers in Macedonia - the Radika. At Kosovrasti spa (Kosovraska banja) there is a centre for rheumatism and medical rehabilitation. The Kosovrasti spa accomodation is high 2nd class and possesses the most modern devices and facilities for all kinds of therapy in the field of rheumatology, rehabilitation and physical medicine. The powerful springs of Banjiste spa-resort, with a total velocity if 70 l/s, are located northwest of Debar at a height of 740 m near the village Banjiste. This spa-resort is famous for its radioactivity and healing properties. The chemical composition of the Banjiste thermal- mineral water, the water content, the numerous rare elements, hyper-thermality, the content of the dissolved gasses (carbon dioxide and H2S) and the high radioactivity of 26,75 moch units include this spa-resort in the most renowned worldwide. Drinking, bathing in and inhalation of the water is thought to cure all kinds of chronic rheumatism, lumbago, women's genital diseases and infertility, skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, and fungal diseases), ulcer, gastritis, urinary diseases, light forms of diabetes, bronchitis, conditions after children's paralysis, weakness of the muscles and stiffness of joints after fracture. Several hotels and swimming pools as well as facilities for physiotherapy are included in the Banjiste spa-resort. Peshkopia spa. Since many years, Dibra has become a destination for those suffering chronic diseases benefitting from healing effects of Dibra spa. Peshkopia spa, has sources of thermo-mining sulphidric waters, otherwise known as “The baths”. These sources have

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priceless curing and yet again touristic values. Spa is situated in Peshkopia town, in its eastern part. The curing facility of thermal waters of Peshkopia, has 44 individual cabins together with some therapeutical cabinets, which include treatment based on sulphuric mud, physiotherapy and aerosalterapy.

6.4 Religious or spiritual tourism  CBC region in North Macedonia: The ancient city of Ohrid is located on the shore of the lake, the pearl of the Balkan Peninsula. Not far away is Plaosnik, a combination of Christian temple, complex of buildings and tombs dating back to the very beginnings of Christianity. Several centuries later, the University of St. Clement was located here-the place where the Cyrilic alphabet for the Slavic people were invented. Built on the rocky hill right above the lake, the monastery of St. Naum is one of the most beautiful ones in the country. St. Naum had chosen this noble wilderness to continue his mission that served to the enlightenment of the people. He was considered to be a healer and miracle-worker, which is witnessed by the notice in the grave chapel. The church itself is dedicated to the Holly archangels Michael and Gabriel and inside the church it holds the barroque-stiled icon holder and frescoes with painted folklore dresses from the Ohrid and Prespa region from the end of the 18th Century. The monastery Kalishta is in the same-called village as well as other 15 cave churches, among which the most famous is St. Bogorodica, where there are eremitic monks’ cells and one of the rarest icons of the Holy Mother and Jesus in Europe (there are only 450) painted in black colour. St. John the Baptist is located just under Bistra and Galicnik monastery. Looking outside, the monastery complex looks like a gray castle (the origin of the name “bigor”), but inside it is decorated with fantastic wooden carvings, manually made by the best Miyak masters – Petre Filipovski-Garkata and Makarie Frchkovski. About 1000 years old monastery has adopted its own order to be respected by the guests. The complex comprises a church, synod, guest rooms and a library that is packed with old books. The decor in the monastery is one of the unique in Christianity, the monastery is surrounded by flowers, trees, wood carving, decorations and icons. It is full of relics and dozens. In a rock over the Lake, in the village Radozda, there is an old cave church “St. Archangel Michael” dating from the 11th century, considered to be the oldest cave church. This church has preserved 12 frescoes from the 12th century, one being “The Miracle of Hona” - a

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scene enlisted in the oldest representations of the wall artistry in the entire Christian art. The art in this cave church is one of the oldest remaining traces of those masters of art from the Ohrid Fine Art School of the 14th century.  CBC region in Albania: The most prominent religious objects (churches and mosques) of the area, are: Church of Shën Mitrit (Saint Mitres), built on 1892, pronounced Cultural Monument in year 2007. Church of Shën Mitrit (Demetrios) is an Orthodox religious site, situated in Upper Kërçisht. The church was built by local brick-layers in 1892, with bricks and limestone mortar and was inspired by byzantine culture. Its roof has a wood construction, covered by stone tiles, whereas ceiling is embellished by afresques. Church of Shën Sotirit (Saint Sotir) has been included in the list of Cultural Monuments from 1270. Its walls were built by stones bond together by limestone mortar. Its walls host afresques of dimensions 7 × 3.2 meters, but currently pretty damaged. Roof is covered by stone tiles. Church of Shpërfytyrimit, is a Cultural Monument since 30.05.1970. It has been built before Turkish invasion, with a simple, three-square technique. Its technique ic based on local building crafts, byzantine culture, early Medieval period. Although number of Orthodox believers in the area is small. Church is respected and maintained by local population. Mosque of Allajbegs, is another cultural monument built in year 1585, with a cubic shape with a dome and praying corner of dimensions 6.4×6.27 meters. Its tower has a multi- corner base along with 10 windows and stone frames. Its building technique was based on Albanian cultural craftsmanship.

6.5 Nature‐based tourism (wildlife, wilderness, rural and environmental tourism)  Wildlife tourism In South-west region hunting and fishing activities have wide spatial features and relatively good representation of fauna types for such purposes. However, the organized forms of this type of tourism activity are rare and insufficiently represented.61 In NP Mavrovo hounting grounds are located on 13 km from the Ski center.

61 Master thesis: Ethnographic values as a factor for development of rural tourism in the South-west region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 121

Lots of fishermen come to fish at Mavrovo Lake during the weekend. There are some Rules of conduct during sports-recreational fishing at the waters at the territory of the NP Mavrovo. Those rules are for Radika River and its confluences, and for Mavrovo Lake as well. It is allowed to fish for sports and recreational purposes and the rules defines: dates within the fishing is allowed, the daily quantity of fish that can be cached, and allowed fishing items. For Mavrovo Lake also there is a ban for fishing the particular types of fishes during the period of their natural spawning.62Debar Lake is interesting touristic location for recreational fishing, it is rich with many speaces of fish. With its unique flora and fauna, Ohrid Lake is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. The fish fauna of Lake Ohrid consists of 17 species, which belong to three groups: trout, white fish and eels.63 The Ohrid Lake have a very good potential for fishing tourism. Black Drin and its tributaries host also a large number of fish species. This biological asset would help fishing fans to come and practice their passion. Fishing activity would be possible to practice all along the river flow.  Rural tourism Rural tourism focuses on the experienes in nature, which has been shaped by human development: rural and countryside areas which may be used for agriculture or forestry, and which contains low density of settlements, including activities as farm stays, scenic touring, camping, buying produce from farm stalls etc. 64The existence of favorable bioclimatic, and natural resources, supplemented by ethnographic, historical and traditional objects, are an essential factor for the development of tourism in the rural regions. The uniqueness of the manufactured objects, as a result of the traditional crafts, the way they are made by local masters (potters, carvers, weavers on rugs and rugs, folk costumes, etc.) as well as the raw materials and objects of labor (water, the village fireplace and the smithy, the knitting needles, the primitive wooden rooms) can be seen in the natural environment only in the countryside, in the country house and in the country yards. Interesting fairs and holidays

62 https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://npmavrovo.org.mk/wp- content/uploads/2015/11/Za-Ribolov-lektoriran-angliska-verzija.doc&hl 63 Master Thesis: Characteristics of the lake tourism in the country, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid 64 CTH Diploma in Tourism Management, Special Interest Tourism, Study Gude, p.7 Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 122

are organized in the territory of the rural regions. 65 Any village can be a tourist attraction, and most villagers are very hospitable across the country. Local municipalities intend to promote the countryside for the purpose of attracting visitors, tourists and potential investors as one of the still unutilized ways of filling up their municipal budgets. The rural tourism has started developing as a factor of protection of the natural heritage, mainly concentrated mountainous villages. Very few agencies offer village tours. The municipalities say that alpinism, cycling, and a meal in the country instead of a luxury hotel is the real offer that the travel agencies could, in cooperation with the government - to offer to the foreign tourists throughout the year. Rural tourism exists in the country provides the travellers accommodation in a scenic location ideal for rest and relaxation. According to travel agents, the Miyak villages of Vevcani, Galicnik, Lazaropole, are excellent sites for the rural tourism. However, the lack of road infrastructure, water, and water management systems poses a problem, though. Another interesting destination for foreigners is the Elsani village in the Ohrid region. Elsani is a vibrant village whose inhabitants of all generations are enjoying the comforts of the 21st century, still surrounded by the smell of home made bread, brandy, wine, and traditions that never fade. In Elsani, there are several shops to provide food, drinks and other most needed things for a pleasant stay between the green heights of Mount Galicica and the blue waters of Lake Ohrid. Most hosts will provide cooking facilities, and even will be happy to serve home cooked food. The people of Elshani welcome visitors and will be happy to introduce you to their style of living. Vevcani is a rural settlement which has a great potential for rural tourism development, and other types of tourism that the area offers. In the village can be found a lot of restaurant which surve traditional food prepared by local products. The Dibra region has a great potential for rural tourism development due to concentration of the population in the villages, as well as the geographical position and relief. It should be noted that the development potentials of this type of tourism are not used at all, but, with detailed planning of the future steps, and with application of the recommendations of this study, there is a good perspective for rural tourism development in Dibra region. The similar rural values have the whole country, and it was prepared paper for “The potentials of

65 Master thesis: Ethnographic values as a factor for development of rural tourism in the South-west region, Faculty for Tourism nad hospitality - Ohrid Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 123

rural tourism in developing rural areas in the country”, and in that document are given the positive examles where the potentials can be used, such as: “Uka Farm” and “Farma Sotira”. Those examples can be starting point in the future rural tourism development planning.

Ecotourism tourism Ecotourism is a form of nature –based tourism in which the focus is on understanding and conserving the natural environment and includes an interest of host community cultures and their involvement in environmental protection. 66The concentration of protected spatial units forms the basis for the development of eco-tourism. The basic resource of environmental tourism is Galicica National Park, and the proclamation of Jablanica opens a new perspective for this type of tourism. It should be noted that the development potentials of this type of tourism are not used, but have a very good perspective.

6.6 Culinary or Gastronomic tourism Galichnik cheese- A traditional homemade cheese with a unique scent and savoury taste. The locals from Galichnik prepared the milk with teleme, an ingredient part for cheese, white cheese and curd production. In order to produce this type of cheese there are certain procedures to follow. It is salted 2-3 times a week, 40 – 50 days. The salt needs time to melt. After that the cheese is washed and it is left 5-6 days to dry. Than it is placed on boards to dry in the sun, to release its natural fat and to prevent mold. After the “sunbathing”- drying in the sun, it is stored in a storeroom where it is “denkosuva”. It is a procedure when the cheese pies are placed one onto another, not get mold, while the cheese matures. Corn is the most important cereal crop in our country. It was prepared boiled in grains sugar-sweetened, as well as cooked as corn on the cob, or they milled it, and used the flour for making many products. One of the most famous is Bakardan, widely well known under the names of kachamak and polenta. This meal is healthy and tasty, easy to prepare and consumed in combination with a variety of side dishes such as cheese, fried pork fat, fried bacon, greaves, sour milk, sweet milk, sugar and cream (kajmak). ZUPA. In this region, the population is mainly engaged in stockbreeding and agriculture. An interesting fact is that the local women still prepare handmade pasta jufki and tarana together. After drying out in the sun, the pasta is stored and eaten during the winter

66 CTH Diploma in Tourim Management, Specual Interest Tourism, Study Guide, p.7. Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 124

period. They are consumed boiled, similar to the bakrdan (hominy). Tourist attraction are also the different wedding meals prepared in large cauldrons (such as beans, pilaf, and meat) served in special dishes called “sani” for the whole group. This region is characterized by mixed climate, mountain and valley relief. There are more pastures than farmland. Wheat, corn, potatoes and fruit plantations are dominant. Hence, flour and meat meals are not surprising. When you think of a main meal in this region of North Macedonia you usually cook lamb. It is meat that “melts” in the mouth due to the clean and rich pastures. There are many recipes for perfectly roast lamb; it is usually prepared by making small cuts into the meat and filling it with garlic and rosemary. This meal is often prepared during the festive holidays. Apart from this common recipe, there is an old Debar recipe, where the meat is served with dried plums. Drink heavy red wine, such as: a Vranec, Prokupec and Kratoshija with the lamb meat. Kasanik from Vevcani is kneaded with holy water (blessed in a church by a priest). It was usually made in the morning of Vasilitsa on January 14th, , and a coin is put in the dough. After it is baked, it is shared among the members of the family. The one who finds the coin is considered to be the happiest during the coming year. Kashanik is an unfermented dough, a mixture of wheat flour and yeast. After the kneading, the dough is immediately baked in a copper tray under sach. A trivet is necessary for baking the kashanik. The tray is greased with pig fat, whereas nowadays oil is used instead. Crust layers (like pancakes) are baked one by one in the tray, placed on the trivet above the ember. The tray is covered with a lid, heated previously. The layers of the kashanik are baked this way one on top of the other until the kashanik is ready. Kashanik is a specialty from Vevchani that is regularly served to the guests on the festive holiday Vasilitsa. It is served with “lukanec” (Vevcani sausages) and sour milk. Ohrid‘s trout. It is an endemic fish, one of the landmarks of Macedonia. In addition to the trout, 17 other species of fish exist in the lake, 10 of which are endemic species. (All can be eaten.) Gjomleze, gjomelezec, turi-potpechi or kashanik-It is a Macedonian traditional dish, a delicious culinary symbol of Ohrid and Struga. The word gjomleze derives from the Turkish word gözleme, which means -wafel. Traditionally, gjomleze is prepared only from flour, water and salt, and recently oil is added and baked under ”vrshnik” .Ohrid’s “cooked” bagel. It is usually eaten for breakfast, but this ring-shaped pastry with sesame, combined with yoghurt or cheese, can be an irresistible snack in every part of the day. The well-known Ohrid “makalo” perfectly fits in addition to meat-grill, fish or a veal stew. You need 5-6 cloves of garlic, 1

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teaspoon of salt, oil and vinegar as needed. The garlic is well cleaned, washed and put in a blender. Add salt and vinegar and briefly blend - about 1 to 2 minutes. Then, gradually (drop by drop) add the cooking oil. A solid, homogeneous mixture like a mayonnaise should be obtained. Mati Gastronomy Mati traditional cuisine is based on local production of fruits and plants (are is famous for cultivation of nuts, chestnuts, dates, apple, plums, figs, raspberries, almonds, cherries, etc) as well as on animal products such as: cheese (from cows, and small ruminants); milk, yogurt, sour cheese, butter, etc. Traditional dishes of the area are grilled types of meat. Chicken meat takes an important part at the culinary tradition of the region, beside beef and ruminants. Meat is usually accompanied by flour and dough products, such as: macaroni, rice, jufka (type of pasta) and other dishes using wheat or corn flour. Many vegetables growing in Mati area, are the basis for salads and light cooked dishes in summer time. Sweets of Mati are part of old tradition, especially those prepared in occasions of celebration of mourning, notably: peta me sheqer, hasude, bakllava, shëndetlie, revani, etc. The whole area is known for cultivation of grapes (there are different types such as: (sheshizi, Ceruje grapes; Parmaku grapes; “kerosene-type” grapes, etc). Making rakia and wine is also part of ancient tradition of the area. These traditional drinks, accompany traditional dishes throughout their consumption.

7 SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE LOCAL TOURISM POTENTIALS

This SWOT analysis aims at identification of assets and tourism resources of the targeted area, Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo- Rostuse, east of the border, and Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region, west of the border. The SWOT analysis is conducted for targeted regions in both neighboring countries. It highlights and identifies touristic capabilities and capacities; list challenges and limitations of the area faced by tourism, as e new economic opportunity for region’s development, promote tourism contemporary practices and processes, which enable tourism as well as encourage and suggest regional development with neighboring countries as an effort to overcome tourism challenges. An external assessment of touristic capacities after identification of current situation is planned to be performed through this analysis, together with supporting of institutional

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coordination with local representatives as well as define which will be the trends of area’s tourism development in the future. Data collected from the field research, listing of the actors affected directly by tourism development issues, together with data obtained by questionnaire analysis prepared and distributed for this purpose, will support this SWOT analysis to provide an integrated assessment of the situation through which a clear picture of tourism capacities shall be obtained, along with their needs and existing opportunities to increase the touristic regional cooperation of the targeted area as an important geographical, historical, natural and economic area. Next table give SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials east of the border. Table 8 SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials east of the border Strength Weaknesses  Area is characterised with great  Migration trend from villages to big touristic, natural and cultural resources cities, which is more common for rural settlement  Natural and cultural resources for located on Bistra mountain (Galicnik, Tresonce, tourism purposes are exploring through Gari, Rosoki, Lazaropole) national parks, nature or cultural monuments  The web-portal of NP Galicica is only  There is an increasing trend of on building tourist accommodation as well as  Local tourism investors do not service providing facilities coordinate their efforts with local and national  There is a trend of adaptation of institutions as requested in the National Tourism homes in rural settlements into objects for Strategy accommodation of tourists  There are individual initiatives for  There are big number of touristic preparation of touristic guides, construction of agencies and tour guides that are offering accommodation facilities, restaurants, etc; different type of tours in the regions, and the unfortunately these initiatives are not always number increases supported by grants from local or foreign donors  There is organized management of  There is a poor coordination with the National Parks Mavrovo and Galicica, and foreign tour operators, for instance from the they have Tourist info points within neighboring country from target CB region  The web-portals of National Parks  Lack of appropriate and quality services give detail information about tourism in the in accommodation facilities/hotels and region restaurants, etc.  All municipalities in the regions have tourism departments which possess tourism info

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 Restaurants within the regions offer traditional food prepared with local products (especially in rural areas)  There are Associations in the region that have activities which cover sectors: tourism, art, culture, cultural heritage, environment, sustainable development  The infrastructure in the regions is developed and in good condition  Trainings of representatives of local authorities (municipalities), associations and other tourist institutions for increasing tourism management capacities  The number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the area have continually growing since 2016  Identification and marking of trails and paths supported by Administration of Protected Areas within National Parks  Organization of local and national promotional events  Continual increasing of annual cultural activities  The tourists get tourist products and services for lower price, comparing to the similar EU offers  Local tourist providers speak fluently English and other languages, and they are hospitable Opportunities Threats  The competent authority will give  The competent authority is not planning financial support to the owners of ruined budget for financial support for reconstruction of houses in the villages, in order to reconstruct village houses them and to come to live back  The competent authority has not adress  The competent authority will the infrastructure reconstruction in the villages in reconstruct the damaged infrastructure, which the planned budget as a priority action (so the will facilitate the arrival of tourists action will be postponed)  Sharing experiences with neighboring country or other regions of the

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country where tourism activity is growing and  Not showing interest from learning is well managed stakeholders to learn new things that will help  Support from fiscal policies towards them tourist capacities- in terms of VAT reduction  The application for grants not to be of accommodation facilities approved (due to lack of knowledge or other  Support to youngsters who’ll engage reason) in tourism businesses through qualification and capacity building on tourism  To conduct trainings of relevant stakeholders, in order to get skills and knowledge how to establish Tourism Area Life Cycle Model  Applications for grants in the frame of different projects funded by tourism developing agencies, both at individual and institutional level  Building of independent local structures by tourism-engaged entities, to promote and increase their knowledge and managements skills in tourism field  Cooperation with tourism entities of neighboring country from the target CB region, for the purpose of increasing service experiences, international promotion of values, better information at regional level

Next table give SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials west of the border. Table 9 SWOT analysis of the local tourism potentials west of the border Strength Weaknesses  Area bears great touristic, natural and  Lack of tourism offices specialized in cultural resources tourism support and management in  There is an existing local tradition to Municipalities (apart from Dibra Municipality, exploit natural and cultural resources for elsewhere these offices were ran jointly with tourism purposes through national parks, education offices) nature or cultural monuments  Lack of professional local coordinators,  There is an increasing trend of trained on tourism issues (except from Dibra building tourist accommodation as well as Municipality); (e.g. in Klosi Municipality there service providing facilities was not any tourism coordinator)

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 There are also new approaches with  There are no tourism information offices regard to provision of services which did not in Municipalities Mat, Klos and Bulqize exist before such as: guesthouses, touristic  There are no online portals to provide guides (mainly in Diber), organized fishing, information on existing tourism opportunities for hiking or trekking, paragliding. local and foreign visitors  Restaurants of the area (especially in  Local tourism investors do not Bulqize and Diber) offer products of coordinate their efforts with local and national traditional gastronomy as well as local institutions as requested in the National and products Regional Tourism Strategies  Building of structural capacities such  With the exception of Dibra as “Information Offices” in support of tourism Municipality, the other do not have completed (in Dibra Municipality) databases on tourism capacities  Web-portal of Dibra Municipality  With the exception of Dibra focused on tourism Municipality, the others lack local plans and  Organizations of civil society programmes for implementation of National focused on tourism support (Mat, Diber) Tourism Strategies  Trainings of local representatives of  There are individual initiatives for Municipalities, associations and other preparation of touristic guides, construction of institutions for increasing tourism guesthouses, restaurants, etc; unfortunately these management capacities initiatives are not always supported by grants  Growing numbers of domestic and from local or foreign donors foreign tourists visiting the area  There is limited electronic  Identification and marking of trails communication, not all the region is covered by and paths supported by Administration of lines enabling mobile communication Protected Areas (APA)  Road infrastructure Mat-Diber doesn’t  Organization of local and national provide opportunities to increase tourism fairs capacities  Development of annual cultural  There are no tourism agencies in the activities, such as Sofra Dibrane, etc. area, which may offer touristic services such as: tour organization, mountain hiking, personalized visits, etc.  There is a poor coordination with foreign tour operators, for instance from the neighboring country from target CB region  Lack of appropriate and quality services in accommodation facilities/hotels and restaurants, etc.  Barriers of knowledge and use of foreign language, etc.

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 There are not functioning and equipped institutions like for instance museums, where history and tradition of the region can be displayed and promoted  Castles, towers, markets and many historical and cultural sites, have been destroyed or ruined thus making almost impossible their use for tourism purposes Opportunities Threats  The existing and unexploited  Building of HECs on the rivers of the resources with regard to natural and cultural region heritage, such as: parks of: Lura, Korab –  Overexploitation of alpine pasture Koritnik, etc. surfaces  Sharing experiences with  Misuse and indiscriminated collection of neighboring countries or other regions of the medicinal plants country where tourism activity is growing and  Constructions on national parks and well-managed. protected areas  Support from fiscal policies towards  Illegal hunting tourist capacities- in terms of VAT reduction  Forest damaging of accommodation facilities  Mining industry and its uncontrolled  Support to youngsters who’ll engage development in tourism businesses through qualification  Investments in the frame of a non- and capacity building on tourism sustainable development  Applications for grants in the frame  Global warming of different projects funded by tourism  Corruption developing agencies, both at individual and  Urban development supported by a poor institutional level infrastructure  Building of independent local  Community migration structures by tourism-engaged entities, to  Aging of the population promote and increase their knowledge and managements skills in tourism field  Cooperation with tourism entities of neighboring countries (Macedonia) for the purpose of increasing service experiences, , international promotion of values, better information at regional level

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8 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION Conclusion: Assessment of tourism potential is a necessity for tourism development and promotion of the targeted CBC region. It is not just to find out any quantitative value, rather, to assess the gap of the demand and to enhance the performance of tourism. For proposal of new tourist spots, there will be no tourist data and hence, significant attributes like crime rate of the zone, compatibility with surrounding land use, visual connectivity, physical and psychological risks etc. may be suitably incorporated. Instead of 5-point scaling, a 10-point scaling may work better. Workability of a blend of multiple decision tools may also be examined. However, there are many possibilities for fine tuning for similar studies to achieve the goals of sustainable development, economic upliftment and social benefits. Identified types of tourism according to the potentials of CBC region, i.e. according to character of tourism resources and values of the region, are given in Figure 56.

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Figure 56 Tourism types according to character of tourism resources and values It should be noticed that investments in infrastructure and tourist offers are cost effective. The proof of that are many examles in the world, it is only necessary to make smart choise in which tourist type and tourist activity to invest, in order to gain maximal returns and positive socio-economic and environmental impact in the CBC region. The target CBC region has great touristic potentials for development, which might be classified in 3 main groups: 1. Cultural and Historical Values: The Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo- Rostuse has very rich cultural and historical values which are well used. Despite the good utilization of cultural heritage in this region, there are still large capacities to take advantage of it, certainly within the framework of sustainable planning and sustainable exploitation. The future steps in this direction will take into consideration the UNESCO protected cultural and historical sights (the city of Ohrid with Ohrid Lake), and the potential of cultural and historical heritage which is located within the National Parks (Mavrovo and Galicica) will be used according to their Management Plans. The Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region has rich heritage but this heritage has suffered considerably from the lack of State funds and attention. Despite its rich heritage,

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preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of cultural resources, are still lacking. Such attention is reflected at the level of financing. These circumstances suggest that a large part of society still looks at its heritage as an obstacle to development rather than leverage for it, where specific actions are needed at the level of local communities and citizens. 2. Natural Resources: Despite the large amount of natural resources used in Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse, there is still un-used touristic natural resources. In Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region there are still un-known and un-used touristic resources, related to natural heritage, namely: parks of Lura and Korab –Koritnik, etc; which can become opportunities for rural development cross-border collaboration focused on sharing experiences with neighboring countries. 3. Assets: Many historical and cultural assets in Ohrid Lake Region (Ohrid and Struga), Debar, Vevcani, Centar Zupa, Mavrovo-Rostuse history that exist can be used. Castles, towers, bridges, markets and many historical and cultural assets of the Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region history does not exist in their original form, due to the pressure of centuries and weather factors. Therefore, without their renovation their use for tourism purpose, is almost impossible. A creative way to benefit from them is to virtually re-vitalize these assets within the near future, which would represent a touristic innovation and would assist opportunities for area’s development. Developing of rural/eco-tourism in general directly affects the rural life revitalization, while also maintaining and evolving the culture and natural heritage, traditional art and craft works. This means to secure market for creation of the rural products, to be able to sell without spending much money on transportation costs, maintenance and their preservation, but also increase the value of agricultural products by avoiding traders and giving farmers a source of significant farm income. This SWOT analysis has also identified weaknesses which need to be taken into consideration by the local governments. For example, in Mat, Diber, Bulquze and Klos Region there is a lack of touristic offices specialized on tourism development in Municipality area (with the exception of Dibra Municipality, elsewhere these offices were incorporated to education offices). There are no tourism information offices in Municipalities of Mat, Klos and Bulqiza. It is quite evident the lack of local coordinators, trained and professionals in tourism

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matters (except Dibra Municipality); Klosi Municipality hasn’t appointed any coordinator to deal with tourism issues. The project team set down with the Municipality tourism offices of the targeted Region and drafted some recommendations which are coming from the SWOT analyses process. General recommendations General recommendations for the region’s development which will be shared with the stakeholders and be published through the project’s visual and promotions materials: - The area needs to have strategic plans which coordinate tourist development with focus on nature and culture. - Given the limited accommodation capacities and generally of poor standards, it is recommended that adventure tourism is the type of tourism to be promoted and developed; nature loving youngsters must be targeted, in small groups and especially during the warm period of the year. - In terms of exploration of the natural resources: There are great opportunities to explore the beautiful mountains also during winter period, but unfortunately lack of infrastructure and ski slopes wouldn’t allow these kind of activities. In terms of long-term objectives, the possibilities to build such ski slopes need to be identified together with their supporting infrastructure. There is an existing local tradition on sustainable use of natural and cultural resources to the benefit of tourism, related to national parks, natural and cultural monuments; this needs to be properly promoted and further to this, natural Parks of Lura, Qafë Shtama and Shebenik, must constitute the basis for an enhanced inter-regional cooperation. Touristic trips focused on local flora and fauna, notably on birds, Alp’s eagle and mountains of Mati and Dibra, may also be designed and organized. An idea might be to organize Bulqiza mines’ tourism which may target “work &life on the 21 century”, in and around one of the region’s richest mines. - With regard to enjoying the cultural dimensions, the first opportunity to be taken and exploit, is the enrichment and better management of existing museums or other types of facilities which “echo” the histories of the area. For instance, it is recommended the design and construction of a virtual museum in nature, with projections of main assets which used to exist along the “Arbri’s Road”. Building of thematic journeys, such as “Skanderbeg’s life in Mati’s Valley”, or “Production of

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powder and Albanian history”, or “Mati’s Bridges and love stories related to them”, might be among these suggested virtual trips. - As regards with the tourism infrastructure development in the area, there is a growing tendency in the area to build accommodation touristic facilities and related services, but the service quality provided is far from the requested standards. Recent trends have seen provision of services which didn’t exist before, namely: guest houses, touristic guides (especially in Diber), organized fishing, climbing or mountain hiking, paragliding, etc. Area needs to be supported not only in terms of infrastructure, but also logistic, through trainings on adventure tourism standards, or green and eco- tourism as opportunities to share with the interested visitors not only natural beauties, but also natural quality of local products. Identification and marking of touristic paths and trails, supported from the Administration of Protected Areas, is a positive element currently existing in Mat and Diber, although not easily accessible and identifiable; much more need to be done concerning preparation of guides who know marked paths, or in terms of easy access and identification from the interested visitors, through instruments like: maps at town centers, information pages, or even through local or national operating agencies. - As regards with the tourism infrastructure development, the area needs trainings targeting promotion of local products, inhabitants need to develop a stronger awareness on identification of what, among things they do, cook and own as property, might have as well as a greater value through a better promotion or by making them available to tourism. Creation of structured capacities through “Information Offices”, at tourism disposal (in Dibra Municipality), along with web portal managed again by Dibra Municipality focused on tourism, seem to be instruments not powerful enough to trigger fantasy of local community members and duly motivate them to look “beyond” poverty and limitation they live in. - As regards with the tourism services development, local service providers need to understand and reason over standards the food they prepare and offer to visitors, need to satisfy; other issues like the ways how to promote such food, history of their local food origin and their role in history of Albanian people over years, are also to be targeted. Restaurants of the area (mainly in Bulqize and Diber), offer products of traditional cuisine as well as local products, but their marketing and description of local recipes, simply does not exist. Support to youngsters engaged in tourism sector

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through raising of their qualifications and supporting creation of new touristic capacities, is another option which needs to be considered; influence and pressure need to be exerted on Local and Central Government for taking immediate measures in this regard. One of the recommendations would be the opening of a one-year professional school in Diber, following high education school, aiming at developing of management capacities of tourist related activities, especially the mountain and adventure tourism. Lobbying might be needed with University of Tirana or Shkodra University, for opening of a local university branch in Diber, providing the afore-mentioned one-year course. - As regards with the tourism promotion development the whole area doesn’t have an online portal where visitors may retrieve information on tourism opportunities available offered to foreign and domestic tourists. There are no initiatives from local tourism investors to coordinate their work with local and national institutional structures, in compliance with National and Regional Strategies of Tourism. With the exception of Dibra Municipality, the other municipalities have no databases with completed data on touristic capacities of their own areas. Moreover, although living in the digital are, Mati-Dibra region suffers lack of reliable electronic communication – there is no full coverage of mobile communication. Individual initiatives in area have consisted on preparation of touristic guides, construction of guest houses and restaurants, but these initiatives are not always supported by grant schemes of local or foreign donors. Preparation and organization of local and national fairs, together with the organization of annual cultural activities, such as Sofra Dibrane, represent other important elements which need to be promoted better, in order to attract not only foreign visitors, but also domestic ones. Perhaps, thematic field trips to the other side of the border in Dibra region, of those being more motivated to experiment changes, may help encouraging them and understanding how things could be done better generating more benefits for them.

9 LITERATURE

National Tourism Strategy Republic of Macedonia 2016 - 2021 National Strategy for Tourism Development 2009 - 2013 Study on supply of available tourist services and tourist potential in Cross-border region 137

National Strategy for Rural Tourism 2012 - 2017 National Strategy for Sustainable Development for the Republic of Macedonia Part I/II (2009 - 2030) National Strategy for Sustainable Development for the Republic of Macedonia Part II: Strategic background and analysis (2009 - 2030) Creating common future - IPA CBC Programme Republic of Macedonia - Republic of Albania 2014 - 2020 Evidence of all tourist potentials in the regions of the Republic of Macedonia Planning regions in the Republic of Macedonia Tourism Development Plans for Ten Destinations across FYR Macedonia Program for development of the South-west planning region 2015-2019 Register of potentials for rural tourism development in the South-west planning region Centre for Development of the South-west planning region: - Annual Report implemented projects in 2015 - Guide for investments in the South-west planning region Study for the condition of potentials for development of tourism in the East planning region Bashkia Peshkopi, Guidë turistike, Tiranë 2010 Bunguri, A., Prehistoria e Dibrës, Tiranë 2010. Cena, F., Natural and cultural heritage of Dibra district, The 4-th International Multidisciplinary Conference in Integrating Science in New Global Challenges, Dubrovnik, 2015. Cena, F., Turizmi dhe zhvillimi i qëndrueshëm në rrethin Dibër, Studime gjeografike 19, Tiranë 2015. Cena, F., Turizmi në rrethin e Dibrës. Studim gjeografiko-turistik. Disertacion, Tiranë 2017. Daci, F., Enciklopedia e Dibrës, Vëll. I, Tiranë 2006. Grupi Lokal i Veprimit “Deshati”, Mirësevini në vargmalin Korab-Deshat. Kaca, I., Rrugët e vjetra të Dibrës, Tiranë 2003. Shini, Xh. Një vështrim mbi banesën karakteristike e ndërtimet tona të sotme, Dibra dhe dibranët, Vëll. I, Peshkopi 1981. Të dhëna nga Drejtoria Rajonale e Kulturës Kombëtare Shkodër, sektori Dibër.

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Të dhëna nga Instituti i Monumenteve të Kulturës. Ligj nr. 93/2015 “Për turizmin”. Ligj nr. 9048, datë 07.04.2003 “Për trashëgiminë kulturore”. Ligj nr. 10352, datë 18.11.2010 “Për artin dhe kulturën”. Ligj nr. 7867, datë 12.10.1994 “Për mbrojtjen e pasurisë kulturore të luajtshme dhe të paluajtshme”. Ligj nr. 107/2014 “Për planifikimin dhe zhvillimin e territorit”. https://www.darsiani.com/krahina-e-matit/avni-dani/per-ne-petralbe-nje-rruge- drejt-historise/

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