The Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Inbound Tourism Development. Case of Shkodra Region

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 spread, tourism has been hit particularly hard globally, also in Albania, in particular inbound tourism with a drastic drop in tourist arrivals out from the country because of travel restrictions, airport closures, nationwide lockdowns, health risks etc. There is evidence, that incoming tourism agencies in the tourism sector have registered lots of cancellations, decline in the visits and spending of tourists. To give a deep and practical insight related to whatabovementioned, this paper introduces a study on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic situation to the development of inbound tourism in Albania in general, and in specific in the region of Shkodra. The focus of the research was to analyse the challenges faced and changes made in the activity of some incoming tourist agencies in Albania which organize tourist visits in Shkodra region. For this paper was raised the hypothesis “Covid-19 changed the way of offering tourism”. The methodology used was primary research based on a survey completed by a sample of 25 incoming tourist agencies operating in Tirana and Shkodra city which organize tourist visits to Shkodra region, as well as the secondary research based on an analyse of books, journal articles, academic papers, web posts etc. Based on the findings of the study it resulted that incoming tourist agencies, negatively impacted because of pandemic spread, were changing their tourist offer, rearranging their offer by taking measures to be safely adapted considering Covid-19 situation, by making new planning of tourist group size, types of adequate segments, destinations to visit, promotional and price strategies etc. With the progression of vaccination of people, and improvement of the situation, the forecast for the future inbound tourism assume a start and gradual recovery albeit slow at first, during the summer and autumn 2021 with visits to friends and relatives; holiday visits, business trips.