Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (IV), No.2, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Paper presented in 1-st International Scientific Conference on Professional Sciences, “Alexander Moisiu” University, Durres November 2016 THE SORTS OF TOURISM IN ALBANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE MIRELA TASE1, ELI VYSHKA2 1Department of Tourism, Business Faculty, “Alexander Moisiu” University, Durres, Albania 2Department of Mechanics and Transport, Professional Studies Faculty, “Alexander Moisiu” University, Durres, Albania Corresponding e-mail author: [email protected] Abstract Albania is a small country that lies in the southwest of the Balkan peninsula which is characterized by physical geographical especially the climate conditions. These conditions are limited in the small territory which represent a variety of meteorological elements changes. The climate of Albania is a national asset for tourism. We will evaluate the climate changes and the impact that have appeared in this regard. In this paper, our goal is to give some consideration of those effects as they relate to tourism. The other side is to recognize the climate conditions not only for organization of the time but also to make better choices in time and space. A special attention will focus in the historical of meteorological studies and the extreme weather phenomena which have been a problem for many countries in their economic development. The influence of these impacts on tourism is the other side of this presentation. Key words: climate change, tourism, meteorological elements Introduction not accompanied by significant changes (except At first we should make a difference between changes caused by exploitation that makes man), weather and climate. Usually we think that climate the climate is characterized by variability in time as a system where the atmosphere interacts between and where the role of man is limited. To have a the hydrosphere and lithosphere and the sun is a comprehensive understanding of climate and its powerful energy source. Climate is the model of assessment in a particular country, proceed through atmospheric phenomena which are synthesized over these stages2 a period of time, and we generally support our a. Its survey choices when and where we go on vacation if the b. Collection, processing and archiving the information is provided for climate. information In contrast, most outdoor recreational trips are c. Interpretation (refers to the extraction of dependent on weather conditions, so we have to indicators in average value, extreme value) supported by short-term forecasts. We can see d. Trends (forecasts) for the known average climate as a resource that encourages the performance and changes in the future. development of tourism or as a barrier that limits For a climate destination defines clearly the time development in the different area. Climate as other span of the tourist season (blue tourism). In most assets that nature provides in a certain area it has an destinations this problem of seasonality exerts important role in socio-economic development of influence on development and have operating costs the country. 1Unlike other assets which are detected and also in the tourism industry. Tourists usually and evaluated, from the natural viewpoint they are need information about average precipitation and temperature values of the area in which they are 1Brian Boniface, Chris Cooper, Worldwide Destinations: “The Geography of Travel and Tourism, “ Slovenia ,2009 2 Petrit. Zorba,” Klimatologjia”, Tiranë , 2009 21 The sorts of tourism in Albania in… M.Tase & E. Vyshka ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ interested than extreme weather events which may indicator is valued for different purposes in constitute the main news. In Albania average agriculture, construction, tourism, energy, etc., and precipitation falls is annually 1300mm and they are considered very good, and not part of the come down from west to east. Likewise, it is shortage of shortage. characterized by average temperature ranging from As a Mediterranean country we are characterized by 1400ºC to 6100ºC which are of interest in tourism. a mild winter and hot summer with the prolonged absence of rainfall. Albania has many sunnier days Some considerations on the history of than some places in the center of the equator. It is meteorological observations and climate in given by geographical location and the relief Albania average height is 708m above sea level almost twice Albania is part of the Mediterranean climate, which more than the other part of European continent and in most of the territory is characterized by a mild the mountainous orientation present us an overview winter and hot summer, while inside the country of the different values of the wind speed and and mainly in Vl and JL are characterized by the weather phenomena which lie in a large space and features of the continental climate where the occasionally are parts of the measures different influence of marine air masses is not present for a pressure airfares that include not only the European long time. In this area we have dominance of the continent but also exhibit significant impact on our humid air masses with small and obvious changes country. that prevalent in the low lands and lies in the Meteorological observing stations and weather western part. The air temperatures and soil features, starting from the aforementioned significantly vary as a result of solar radiation that indicators and their influence are not only in large depends largely on geographical and physical areas but also in small areas. And in our country it features that characterize the country. The countries is not observed phenomena such as thunderstorms with annual temperature average in the cold period which has a high degree of danger as it is usually of the year as January, February, down often below observed in Asian countries or in America. 10 ° C as part of the Ionian coast, Borscht, Qeparo These meteorological stations around the world are are same with countries that lie at the center of making an evaluation of their own climate and the North Africa. trend is that will have in the future in order for these This does not include the Vurgu field of Saranda countries to take steps for different sectors of the which is different from the rest as the Boga area, economy. Climate in the world is considered as a Sheqeras are characterized by minimal temperature national asset of any country while our country by values up to - 24,8ºC similar to the northern part of WMO is included among these countries using a the continent of Europe. We can experience the low level of meteorological information. effect of moisture in air temperature.3 The first meteorological observations in our country In our country, being part of the Mediterranean is dating to October 1868, which was followed by basin, a high percentage of relative humidity in air the surveys in 1888 and were rejecting the mistaken masses that predominate during the summer and opinions about the low level of information. But create huge problems for the third age groups as an after thorough scientific studies have begun, our unpleasant situation is uncomfortable for tourists. country's climate around 1947. This was the year The maximum rainfall amount during 24 hours was when this institute was created through the network recorded at these stations in our country as 420mm of stations and was located across the country and rainfall in 24 hours Theth in 1963, 193mm and conducted after thorough scientific studies. In the 143mm in Konispol in 1972 and in Tirana in 1962. late 90 years, there were in our country 226 stations The Albanian solar radiation varies from 2000 for measuring precipitation and 174 stations for hours on the sun (Bajram Curri) to 2800 hours measuring air pressure and temperature values. (Fier) having a rising trend as a result of the cover of a low percentage of clouds in the sky followed by How the tourism responds to climate change? the effects of climate change on our country. This The tourism sector has responded to climate change in two ways. The first is trying to mitigate the 3Klima e Shqipërisë – IHM Tiranë ,1985 effects of climate change by changing behavior, by reducing the carbon footprint of travelers. 22 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (IV), No.2, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ The second is adaptation, where the destinations are In the higher part, especially in the eastern part is developing strategies to face the reality of climate dominated a cold climate with continental change. The climate in our country is classified into influences. This climate is suitable for development 4 climatic zones and on 13 subzones and this based of tourism white mainly based on the development on factors which are listed as: of skiing. These have existed before 90 years and a.. The geographical latitude, today some winter tourism centers as Korca b. The position of our country against the general ,Voskopojë works but this kind of tourism continues circulation of the atmosphere, to have lack modern infrastructure for these types c. Mountain ranges and the irregular relief and the of sports. For this reason, many passionate people impact of Adriatic and Ionian Seas about this sport see as the best option Macedonia The variability of indicators, the temperature values, neighboring. solar radiation, and precipitation represent a large The presence of microclimates variety in our variety in a small country like ours. These offer the country adds the combining of various forms of tourist an area as a significant change at different tourist movement according to the seasons making times of the year, which is not found in the other it possible for sustainable development of this countries close to us. sector and providing income for the community So the areas like Voskopojë, Llogara, are known as from these natural potentialities.