Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes a report of the magazine “DRINI” of 1939 published by the National Tourism Office that during the period of the Monarchy of Zog was under the patronage of the Princess, Maxhide, as well as the newspaper “ARBNIJA”, which promoted tourism and ‘Foreign citizens and locals were called to frequent the tourist cities of the country, starting from Shkodra, Kruja, Durres, Berat, Korca, Gjirokastra, etc. In the report of the magazine “DRINI”, after a detailed description of the city of Durres, starting from antiquity, among other things, it said: “The Royal Government after ordering the Mayor of Durres who, together with a competent engineer, to go abroad soon to study the plazas that suit our country and especially Durrës and its excellent plazas. Because, with this reasonable measure, any eventual improvement necessary with a payable, desirable and beneficial criterion will be carried out. This preliminary study and many works still in the project and ready for implementation, the Municipality of Durrës is carrying out thanks to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is providing the greatest assistance to realize the wide program of flourishing and progressive decoration on all four sides of Durrës, often called deservedly “Albania’s main and beautiful gate”
“Durrës is the main port of Albania and it is located only 39 km. away from Tirana. Regular travel agency services connect that city with the country’s various major centers. Durrës has a population of 10,000 inhabitants. The city lies on a shore that ends at the end of Durrës Mountain, which has a height of 185 meters. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops, warehouses, warehouses, pharmacies, maritime and automotive agencies, mosques, churches, primary and secondary schools, banks and other institutes adorn the beautiful view of this maritime city by the Adriatic Sea. With the Regulatory Plan of Durrës Beach, which was drafted by the Central Office for Urban Planning and Construction in Albania, it is expected that the beach will completely change its physiognomy and capacity for the reception of local and foreign vacationers. This panorama of the coastal city of Durrës, at first glance, seems to be part of a promotional tourist guide of numerous tourist agencies operating in our country, which on this eve of the holiday season that has just begun, have intensified their activity of attracting holidaymakers from the country and foreign tourists. But this is not the case, these passages belong to the period of the Zog Monarchy, 1939 and they were taken from the monthly magazine “Drini”, which was published at that time by the National Tourism Institute of Albania. But the history of tourism and promotional propaganda for attracting foreign tourists to our country, has its roots many years ago, which are discussed in detail in the writings of the magazine “Drini”. Since the first years of the Zog Monarchy, the Albanian governments of that time paid special attention to Albanian tourism, which continued later during the occupation period, in the years 1939-1944. Among other things, this is made known by the press of those years, from which we have extracted these articles that we are publishing below in this article.
ARBNIA newspaper: Remarks of foreign tourists to us
“Arbnia” newspaper, Remarks of foreign tourists The tourism organization among us, undertaken a few years ago and encouraged with constant means and propaganda, has not lacked to have the right effect. Our country, mentioned for its images of a rare beauty in Europe, is visited every summer by a majority of foreigners, and the unspoken hospitality they find in Albania is an important factor in the development of tourism among us. Foreign personalities who visit the UK do not fail to show their gratitude for the best reception given to them everywhere in the people, as well as express their opinion about the tourist expectation of Albania, giving us a land of valuable advice that should be we note even when these are related to the improvement of many shortcomings that hinder the development of tourism. We all know our flaws or shortcomings, and the press has been busy with them, making them known to the competitors, and there is no need to repeat them today. We take this opportunity to note a very reasonable remark made to us by a foreigner, a friend of Albania. This foreigner who has toured our country more than any other tourist, told us that the organization of domestic tourism has not been given due importance, not to mention that it does not exist at all. The Albanian, who is not separated from his compatriots in the provinces, only a short distance away, grows old and dies without knowing the interesting places of his homeland, the most historic places and full of glorious memories from his grandmothers. Kruja, the birthplace of the National Hero, Burreli, where without the light Sovereign, Shkodra and Teuta, Durrës, Butrintoja, Pojani, Vlora and many other places, would see in another country places of pilgrimage, attractive and climatic areas, which will to be attacked daily by the people, becoming centers of movement 3-4 months of the year. We mentioned only these places as more characteristic than the glory of God. Our homeland is full of interesting and attractive places, and nature has wandered with its treasures in every corner of it. These beauties are appreciated and enjoyed by foreigners, and among us, the few who have the means to see them, come out. It would be a sin not to start anniversaries with the approach of the summer season, when there are more dense walks in interesting places of the homeland. KTAM (Kingdom’s Tourism and Automobile Committee), which has been organizing walks on the beach of Durres for two years and several times among other places, would do well to densify these this year by organizing in many areas. of the Kingdom. The optimal figures for tourism in 1938 The development of tourism and the impetus it has received in the last year, appear perhaps for the first time in exact figures and dates. In this way, we are able to know today exactly the degree of development of the tourist movement in our country, and at the same time the coronation of the efforts to give tourism the development that required the time and needs of the new Zogist Albania. The number of foreigners who visited Albania in 1938 was 7,725, with an additional 1781 from 1937. Foreign tourists stayed in our country 61,696 nights. The expenses of these foreigners for food, accommodation, transport, etc., amount to fr. gold 578,543 means about half a million entered from last year’s tourist movement. There is a surplus or surplus from 1937 of fr. gold 239,298.
The main reasons for the increase in tourist movement
The main reason for the increase of tourist movements in our country is due to the dense propaganda that the National Tourism Agency and KTAM have done to make Albania known as much as possible in the outside world. Then there are other factors that have contributed to the increase in tourist traffic. Among these we can mention the Spanish War, which led many of the quartzists on the Albanian coast; the events of Central Europe and the emergence of the Jewish element and the permits granted by the Yugoslav government to its agencies to organize foreign tourist tours in Albania as well. But the first reason is always the intense propaganda of Albania abroad and the increasingly outstanding efforts to organize tourism to the deserved degree. The foreign world has begun to show a great interest in Albania, which is known today everywhere as the most beautiful place in the Balkans for walks and visits to its beautiful and picturesque areas. Foreigners are also convinced of the organization of the Kingdom of Albania, of the exemplary order and tranquility, as well as the all-Albanian reception they find in our country. These are the reasons for the increase of the tourist movement in our country and we should be happy to see that in addition to the moral gain that the recognition of our country by foreigners brings, we also have a very important material gain. Nearly half a million fr. gold enters Albania at a time when tourism has just begun to be organized on a sound basis. This gives us hope that if organized and perfected, tourism will soon become an important factor in the income of our country and consequently a valuable aid in improving the economic life of Albania. Let’s hope that some shortcomings, such as the establishment of hotels and other centers for tourists, will be met as soon as possible, to give tourism a more vibrant and useful development.
The Mayor leaves for the beach projects
With the onset of spring, the announcement of the hot season of vacations, baths and other entertainment that the needs of modern times have the necessary benefits for the health of the new generations that are growing and for their relaxation that, with mental and physical energy , lead our state car, as well as other such activities, the eyes of the capital, the main cities of Central Albania, and especially our First Scale, head to Durres Beach. Not only us but also the foreigners who visit us and follow our progress, have a lot of words of admiration for this Beach and for its rapid development. In fact, it is one of the most suitable and, if added to the artificial means, the natural benefits that equip it, there is not the slightest doubt that it will become one of the most beautiful and attractive. Durrës beach, from now on, can be summed up among the achievements realized by the Zogist regime, for which we need to feel proud. Therefore, every improvement that is made, every measure that is taken, must be serious, measured and studied on the basis of a model and a worthy plan to be permanent. It is with great pleasure that we learn that the Royal Government, after ordering the Mayor of Durrës to, together with a competent engineer, soon go abroad, to study the Plateau that suits our country and especially Durrës and its Plateau. Excellent. Because, with this reasonable measure, every possible necessary improvement will be carried out with a payable, desirable and beneficial criterion. This preliminary study and many works still in the project and ready for implementation, the Municipality of Durrës is carrying out thanks to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is providing the greatest assistance to realize the wide program of flourishing and progressive decoration on all four sides of Durrës, often deservedly called the “main and beautiful gate of Albania”. Meanwhile, a large number of workers have been used to prepare the troll around the Royal Villa for planting suitable trees that are custom-made in Italy. Also, among the garden slabs under construction, a large part of the afforestation has begun, which promises to completely transform this sidewalk into a paradise on earth, as a blissful contrast of the former state of the death-bringing swamps. Bonification of swamps near the beach Fortunately for us, the issue of swamps is at the top of the works, reclamation and beautification. Our representative, who went specifically to interview him before leaving with the above-mentioned mission, the Mayor of Durrës spoke to him about this problem with our emphasis and we deserved it. Mr. Minister of Internal Affairs, has given categorical orders to cover the swamps and to reclaim them as soon as possible, to use all available means, to put life and health where until now the deserted malaria that compromised had been released. even our fame as a puntuer people.
The Royal Government has apparently given its full support; in the face of this hopeful reality, only the will and care to implement this magnificent plan that has a first-hand tourist significance remains to be realized. We are sure that the mayor of Durrës has these qualities; The most vivid evidence was given by his trip to Shkodra and Korça.
Foreign journalists for tourist Albania
Many foreign critics who have loved and want the best for our country, writing about the future that awaits us, have pointed out the many opportunities for Albania to attract tourists. The theory invented by them is based on the fact that this place, being very old and at the same time very young, preserves traces of various civilizations and rare images of a people that from the past and from the Occidentals is drawing inspiration to move forward with jerk or will; then-always according to them-Albania has the good fortune to benefit from the privileged geographical position; located between Rome and Athens, which are the largest and most interesting tourist centers in the world. “Will Albanians know how to take advantage of their position and take advantage of the legacies of the ancients and the opportunities that nature has given them, even if civilization is being forgiven day by day for a real tourism?” This is a question that a foreign journalist has asked in one of the articles she wrote on this problem, which is becoming a problem even for those who will directly or indirectly benefit from our tourist development. In our natural possibilities, in addition to the position, panoramic beauties, beautiful climate, mountains, forests, lakes, game birds and many, many other good things that are very close and can be seen all at a relatively low cost. The rest of our tourist capital consists of our heritage: magnificent traces of ancient civilizations brought to light in Butrinto, Pojan and other areas; picturesque costumes, songs and dances that make up our rich folklore; the habits of hospitality that are far removed from any commentary and constitute our pride; our customs and spirit that distinguish us foreigners as a people, brave and proud and that constitutes a field of interest not only to scholars but also to ordinary tourists; historical memories as well as our own lives that make the tourist feel the rare and required sensation that from an advanced and mechanized world suddenly comes to relax spiritually and mentally in a completely different world, rich in those qualities that in many places are missing.
Tourism Authority, under the patronage of the Princess, Maxhide
What has civilization added to this capital that needs to be exploited? The fast means of air and sea communications, the rush of tourism through cruises and favorable discounts on trips, the vivid examples of propaganda, the cooperation agreements between international tourist entities and clubs, give invaluable value to our tourist capital. . We connect with the vast global tourism organization through the National Tourism Entity and the Royal Tourist and Automobile Club, which are under the high patronage of the N.S. Princess Maxhide Queen. With these connections as well as with many other ways, the Royal Government is making great sacrifices for the tourist development of Albania, which in terms of foreigners as well as compatriots who have to walk and know this beautiful place. We said that the foreign tourist coming from the mechanized outside world comes suddenly in a few hours, in this different world of ours to relax spiritually and mentally. We now need to improve the power of the hotels and, by doing so, to give them the opportunity to not be too tired and to be completely satisfied.
Durrës Beach with Regulatory Plan since 1939, which was drafted by the Central Office for Urban Planning and Construction
Among the many measures taken by all Albanian governments since the Zog Monarchy and those under Italian occupation in 1939-1943, to promote tourism and attract foreign tourists to our country, was the regulatory plan of the beach of Durres, i which at that time was prepared by the Central Office for Urban Planning and Construction of Albania. In this regard, the monthly magazine “Drini”, published by the National Tourism Agency at the time, wrote, among other things: “Durrës is the main harbor of Albania. Located 39 km. from Tirana. Regular motorway services connect it to the various major Kingdom centers. It has a population of 10,000 inhabitants. The city lies on a shore that ends at the end of Durrës Mountain, which has a height of 185 meters. Guesthouses, lunches, cafes, shops, warehouses, warehouses, pharmacies, naval and automotive geniuses, mosques, churches, primary schools, a high school, banks and other institutes adorn the beautiful view of this seaside town by the Adriatic Sea. Here is also a large Albanian tobacco factory S.T.A.M.L.E.S. According to the historian Tucidie, the Corfiots founded the colony of Epidamnos here in 627 BC. The city, in order to escape the inseparable onslaught of pirates, became associated with Rome, which later conquered all of them and changed its name to Dyrrachium. Cicero also lived in this city, who nicknamed it “Admirabilis urba” but could not stay here for a long time because we were worried about the loud noise you make in the harbor. To the south, the city lies on a beautiful, sandy beach with rows of beautiful, modern villas and small houses that give it the look of a truly spa town. In 1928 the whole ranch had only one primitive plant but the real development began immediately only after this year. Ranisht is 4 km long. We now have 3 bathrooms for about 2000 people and 120 houses. In a project prepared with the greatest care by the Central Office for Urban Planning and Construction of Albania, the following advances are foreseen: 3 more facilities are foreseen for about 3000 people; a large guesthouse of 540 plots of land prepared for the implementation of the Rules of Regulation Plan. Even for Shkambin of Kavaja, 60 parts of land are foreseen. In addition, 40 plots of land with different areas in the ranch and no. 10 others in Shkambin e Kavajës which will be used for special arrangements; schools, public buildings, shops, inns, and pensions, cinemas, etc. The central city and the sand city are under development.
An exhibition by the Head of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Albania, Marconi: At the “Nacional” Cinema, a conference by foreigners on tourism
As part of the numerous measures taken by the National Tourism Agency of the Kingdom of Albania during the years of the Zog Monarchy (which was under the patronage of Princess Maxhide), there were also a series of scientific conferences by foreign lecturers, which were organized not only in Tirana. , but also in some other cities of the country. One of these conferences was the one given at the “Nacional” cinema in the capital by Piero Marconi, the chairman of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Albania, who since the early ’30s, has been conducting archeological excavations in Butrint and Pojan of Fier. Regarding these conferences of Marcon, the press of that time states, among other things: “We talked the day before yesterday about the need for conferences and the great benefit that the country sees from them, emphasizing that these, especially when they are didactic, should be held in front of students. . Our request was fully justified yesterday. Professor Piero Marconi, President of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Albania, who today leads the Butrintos excavations, spoke yesterday in the hall of the “Nacional” Cinema with the competence of a broken scientist in his branch, with extensive competence and simplicity that were appreciated without mass by the chosen public who was fortunate enough to hear his confection. The professor illustrated the conference with a film set that he took with him to the excavations, presenting a clear picture about the mission’s actions from the beginning, i.e. since the time of the deceased, Ugolini, to this day. The faces (statues found from archeological excavations. Our note), which Professor Marconi explained, represented the various civilizations that have permeated our country, from the Neolithic era to the Venetian constructions, giving a clear and faithful picture of all excavations found from our underground and that we inherit today. Professor Piero Marconi was personally thanked by His Excellency, Minister Shatku and other personalities, who made every praise for his conference in the capital, which is a valuable lesson for every Albanian and the past of his country. We wish that such conferences given by Mr. Piero Marconi, to be heard by high school students and it is better to enrich their useful knowledge over the old times “./Memorie.al
