URBAN DESTINATION MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TRANSFORMATION: THE CASE OF TIRANA

Fatjola Delija (Lubonja); Ketrina Jarazi

doi:10.52370/TISC26460FD

Fatjola Delija (Lubonja) University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy in Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Ketrina Jarazi Municipality of Tirana, Tirana, Albania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52370/TISC26460FD

Keywords: tourism and development, regional development policy, sustainable development

Abstract

In recent years, Tirana has experienced significant tourism growth, transforming from a transit city into an emerging urban tourism destination. This transformation has influenced the city’s international image, urban vitality, and economic development, while also creating challenges related to sustainability and destination governance. This paper analyzes Tirana’s transformation and examines the role of urban regeneration, governance practices, and digitalization in supporting tourism development. The study adopts a qualitative and descriptive case study approach based on secondary data, including official tourism statistics, policy documents, tourism strategies, and urban development reports. Findings suggest that tourism growth has been supported by increased international visibility, revitalization of public spaces, digital innovation, and the expansion of tourism-related services. The study highlights the importance of integrated governance, stakeholder cooperation, and sustainable planning in managing tourism growth in rapidly transforming urban destinations such as Tirana.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bramwell, B., & Lane, B. (2011). Critical research on the governance of tourism and sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 19(4–5), 411–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2011.580586

Day, J., Morrison, A. M., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2021). Sustainable tourism in urban destinations. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 7(4), 881–886. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-12-2021-290

Farrell, B. H., & Twining-Ward, L. (2004). Reconceptualizing tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 31(2), 274–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2003.12.002

Leiper, N. (1990). Tourist attraction systems. Annals of Tourism Research, 17(3), 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(90)90004-B

Marchi, V., Marosco A., & Apicerni V. (2023). Sustainability communication of tourism cities: A text mining approach. Cities, 143, 104590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104590

Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. Currency Doubleday.

Vergara Romero, A., Durán-Román, J. L., Jimber-del Río, J. A., & Collado-González, J. C. (2025). Business management of sustainable destinations and its effect on ecotourism entrepreneurship to mitigate overtourism. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05149-4

Pikark. (n.d.). Pazari i Ri i Tiranës.Retrieved March 2026, from,: https://pikark.com/listing/pazari-i-ri-i-tirane

Piramida Tirana. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2026, from: https://piramida.edu.al/

Municipality of Tirana. (n.d). Smart city initiatives. Retrieved March 2026 from: https://tirana.al/kerko?search=smart+city

TechSpace. (n.d.). TechSpace Albania. Retrieved March 2026 from: https://techspace.al/en/main/

Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). (nd). Tourism statistics (English). Retrieved March 2026 from: https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/industry-trade-and-services/tourism-statistic

TUMO Tirana. (n.d.). TUMO Tirana. Retrieved March 2026, from: https://tirana.tumo.al/

Welcome Albania. (n.d.). Welcome Albania. Retrieved March 2026, from: http://welcomealbania.com