THE MAIN AXES OF REGIONAL TOURISM, INVOLVMENT OPPORTUNITIES, POSITION AND PERSPECTIVE OF KOSOVO TOURISM

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1 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development Alexander Moisiu University, Durrës, Albania RESEARCH ARTICLE THE MAIN AXES OF REGIONAL TOURISM, INVOLVMENT OPPORTUNITIES, POSITION AND PERSPECTIVE OF KOSOVO TOURISM Fitim HUMOLLI University of Prishtina Hasan Prishtina,Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography,10 000, Prishtinë Contact: MSc. Ferat KRASNIQI University of Prishtina Hasan Prishtina,Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography, , Prishtinë Contact: Abstract Due to political reasons (occupation, war and after the war), until after 2000 year, Kosovo was not part of the Balkan touristic tours and beyond. After the war years ( ) are created new conditions which enabled Kosovo to be part of such tourist organizations. In the new circumstances, it is, by the year 2008 (the year of independence) was not equal to the states of the region. This addition to the negative image (inequality), was the real obstacle. However, there are obstacles to this region today. Excluding Albania, FYROM-in, and Montenegro, Kosovo has problems with the free movement of citizens: Bosnia and Herzegovina has not recognized Kosovo state, Greece and Serbia, as well, even Croatia country the latest entry into the EU, require visas (this was also done prior to the Kosovars), etc.. All these countries that have not recognize Kosovo, do not allow freedom of movement, proper and necessary to the citizens of both sides. This does not mean that movements are not possible, but have difficulty and are not desirable, and for which tourism is not judged to be good. More than political problems, Kosovo needs real improvement of infrastructure (not only roads), to become part of the main axes of the region. Touristic activity includes Kosovo in the Balkans. Throughout various touristic tours, Kosovo is becoming ever more frequented. Knowing recognized that EU standards require concrete commitments, precisely these aspects (political, infrastructure, vision and willingness, touristic packages) and not only, will be aiming for objective analysis in this paper. Keywords: touristic axes, tourism, touristic tours, touristic packages, routes Introduction The project belongs to the human geography. To achieve the desired results are different methods are applied such as, statistical methods etc. - Empirical Methods: a) Quantity (Survey, applied in printed format and in direct contact with respondent) b) Quality (half structured interviews, has been a selected model for research, according to the sample model) - Graphical methods: These methods have enabled us the graphical, technical and visual appearance of analyzed facts. - Outflow method: The phenomenon has been outflow entirely for a long period (over 3 years). It has been used the literature and data for a longer period. - Space analytical methods (GIS): Realization, space comparation of road network and visual appearance were reward of this method. - Cartographic methods: They enabled application of cartographic methods in showing maps and other models. They enabled application of cartographic methods in showing maps and other models. Results and discussions The road, regional, local network towards touristic requests, 28

2 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development Alexander Moisiu University, Durrës, Albania Being Balkan states, the states included in discussion have common touristic package, and of course the pretend to have more such packages. It is unavoidable to avoid the key role of transport in tourism, so in function of central axle of tourism in Balkan region this segment will be elaborated. The international network in Balkans is poor. This is more present on west and central parts of Balkans. This is noticed in used maps and Network of Roads for Southeastern Europe 1. The reasons are different. Starting from geographic-natural aspects, as landscape, geological construct, etc that are not the main reasons and till those socio-economic or political, as obstacle for financial capacities, wars and conflicts. Political - economic transition, etc. However, this poorness in transport should be improved at least for fulfilling the conditions for EU admission. These conditions would not be in place, if the road infrastructure would not be a factor that has impact on economies of countries, through facilities that offers. At this point the transport has a close link with tourism. Without facilities of touristic circulations a good touristic results cannot be expected. These circulation are done through transport network especially the road (railway and vehic le transport) Corridor X, Corridor VIII ad International Route R1 and R2 are key corridors for transport in whole Southeast Europe (See the map, Figure105). All three are international roads and in fact they represent the main circulations in the region, including their branches. From Slovenian-Croatia Border (Brehana), Zagreb (Cro), to Belgrade (Ser), Skopje (FYROM), through the FYROM-Greek Border (Bogorodica) till Thessaloniki (the harbor in Egian See) crosses the Corridor X. Corridor VIII begins from Tirana and Durres (harbour, Albania) to Rogozhina, Elbasan towards Struga (FYROM) Tetovo, Skopje, Kumanovo, Kriva Palanka (FYROM) till the border with FYROM- Bulgaria and through the Route A1 passes till harbour in Burgas (Black Sea). Route R1 and R2 describes the whole Adriatic Coast, from the Slovenian-Croatioan Border (Bosilijevo), Split (Cro), Neum (BiH), Dubrovnik (Cro) till Tivar (MontNe). Further it bcontinues with Route R2 to Albania naming as R2C from Fier to Levan and Kakavija (Albanian-Greek) Border. The described route represents at the same time keys for touristic circulations, except common circulations of goods and people for other needs. 1 SEETO, South-East Europe Core Regional Transport Network development Plan, Five Year Annual Plan 2010 to 2014, Pg. 6, December Kosovo has two international route; 1. Route R6 and 2. Route R7, Route R6 has its branch R6 a (Fig. 105). The National Route the lines Durres, Tirana, Prizren and Prishtina, which is not completed in Albania and Kosovo should be connected with Corridor X. This Route is under the name Route R7. For the time being, this High-way is stopped and in every variant is less than 50 km to reach the border (Kosovo-Serbia). It is our opinion that this route should be followed by Route R7, with a new track and in Border Crossing Merdar through Nish to be liked with well known and huge corridor, Corridor X. We think that it is in national interest to enter in Corridor X more in the north, deeper in the continent, so that for the travelers would be created larger facilities to reach the harborsea, concretely Durres. Touristic, Kosovo and Balkan tours To see more closely which are touristic tours in Kosovo, of the region where Kosovo is included or is included the region, several questions have been put on during empirical research that have given its results 2. Moreover the public approach in web-pages of agencies, even tiring has enabled good absorption of that towards touristic organism. The common consequent of action of all touristic operators at this point is Classification Criteria of touristic tours. Classification with easy variations from one other and with possibility to be improved in future, it is good used and with good destination. This facilitates the approach of foreign clients to make desirable selection for tours in Kosovo and region. Touristic packages - Touristic group packages of some known operators and touristic agencies: A) Tours according to categories of Albtour d (branch of Vas Tours-regional operator, one of the best touristic operators in Kosovo). 1. Balkan Tours 2. Cultural Tours 3. Tours of special interest 4. Tours under suite of guider 5. Archeological Tours 6. Coast Excursions 7. Tours in the cities 8. City break (short breaks 3-5 days, with special focus point in cities) 9. Daily excursions B) Tours according to categories In Tours and Travel (touristic operator focused only for internal tourism). 2 Realized researches from author from period January 2014 June

3 The main axes of regional. F. Humolli, F. Krasniqi 1. Classic Tours, 2. City break tours, 3. Daily tours, 4. Regional tours, Fig. 1. International Route Network in Kosovo and Region 3 Fig. 2. Kosovo and Corridor X, Entrance on it. C) Tours according to categories of Fibula, Travel Agency (known as operator, but in fact is named as Touristic Agency for weak touristic packages): Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 4. D) Tours according to categories Air tour (Agency and new operator, with solid touristic tours). 1. Visit Kosovo 3 Naim Kelmendi, Zonat gjeneruese dhe tërheqëse të trafikut në Kosovë-Aspekti socio-ekonomik, Master Thames, Map No. 13, Prishtina, may Processed map from author. 4 Presented tours on the web with date Visits with special request 3. Kosovo Grand Tour (including Croatia, Montenegro, A1, FYROM and Kosovo with 2 day from total 12) 4. Balkan Eastern Discovery Analyze of regional and domestic tours - In research done in the ground with interview and questioner (anketim) it is determined that are other small operators, but not with influence. Interested which are the main tour, which touristic packages are more sold, following response have been reached. Balkan Tour, with focus on those cultural where visits different cultural monuments are included and those religious as mosques, churches, Teqe and Hamams, etc are the most sold packages. This was the response of 80% of those interviewed in different towns of Kosovo, where the research was made in (Prishtina, Ferizaj, Shterpce, Gjakova, Junik, Decan, Peja, etc). Based on repeated declarations it is determined that the main place (main aim) or expressed in economic terms the main axis of touristic destinations in Balkan tours including Kosovo, is Croatia. Because of well known reasons, inherited from the past and because of representative actuality, Croatia is a leader as desirable destination where tourist are oriented and they move towards south in different countries of Balkans. Tours in general are 1 day (domestic tours) till 22 days (regional tours) 5. Frequently Balkan Packages are with these combinations: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Greece and Turkey. The visual representation of some regional tours will be helpful to understand and interpret the selected destinations. Different touristic operators offer access on data in different forms. The possibility for access on web page, many alphanumeric information s and visual, interactive communication (online), are actual obligations that have moved almost all touristic companies. Of course, not all operators have successfully realized these concurrent obligations. Some of them have advanced in access of clients and online services. They have 5 Longest Balkan tour which hade Alb Tours d. Reference in

4 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development Alexander Moisiu University, Durrës, Albania on focus the client, creating facilities in giving and Fig. 3. Regional tours, 11 days Fig. 4. Regional tours 8 days, without Kosovo getting the information s. them is applied from operator Albtour d (figure 109). From comparation 105 and 109 it is clearly to differentiate that we have to do with multiple correlation. Correlation between routes R1, R2 and touristic itineraries (firs) as well as correlation between two segments- facts (second) and position of urban places in Adriatic and Jonian Sea. In Kosovo there are cases when the tourists come directly without to be included in regional packages. Such like cases are on interest of country and from those Kosovo can benefit more. The reason of this ascertainment is based on time spend of tourist in Kosovo. In study are included also tourists that have contributed with their opinions 8 and shown their reasons of direct and full stay in Kosovo. You should be aware that we and especially state institutions to create a offer and conform this national touristic packaged (packages with full destination, only one country) it is challenging towards the need and possibilities to accomplish. Towards all inclusive engagements to complete better touristic offers with large scale, motivations are actual regional touristic packages. Also these touristic marshes have their faults. The reasons are many, some of them are: Fig. 5. Balkan Touristic Tours in correlation with Route R1 and R2 6 Marketing and online services are innovations to bring good results, in this corner the operators declare for success from online marketing and online services 7. In relation to transport routes, one of them mentioned (Route R1 and R2) are drafted many itinerary and regional touristic packages. One of 1. Capacity and experience of bearer of state institutions, 2. Capacity and experience of bearer of businesses (tourism sector), 3. Political problems 4. Freedom of movement 5. Lack of professionalism of touristic operators, 6. Lack of institutional support for tourism in general and practice realization of tourism, et Five times Kosovo is included in regional towards total 18; it is the weight of Kosovo in regional tours. With 28% participation towards geo-touristic position and touristic potential (natural and cultural) it is small for Kosovo during these inclusive packages at least smaller than the one of Albania, Croatia, Greece and FYROM. 6 From Albtours d ( and processed from author. 7 Interview No. 5 Operating tour Alb Tours d (interviewed, Director: Islam Qunaku). Interviewed by Fitim Humolli and Donjeta Berisha, Prishtina, Interview No. 26, Joseph Giacopelli, tourist from USA. Interviewed by Donjeta Berisha, Suhareka and Interview No.27, Anna Graca Cox, tourist from USA, Interviewed by Donjeta Berisha, Suhareka,

5 The main axes of regional. F. Humolli, F. Krasniqi Case State 1 State 2 State 3 State 4 - State Kosovo - Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia FYROM No. of inclusion Tab. 1. Number of tours, Kosovo towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and FYROM Fig. 8. Kosovo weight on regional tours (Balkan Tours). Conclusion and recommendation From what it was said above it can be concluded that: Kosovo has good math-cartographic position (geographic contents only for its position and geographic position in the region). This does not justify its position detected in many other segments, as: Kosovo is having poor connections with international routes, despite improvements of internal road network. Aspects of treatment of tourism in regard to region are small. Aspects linked for position and possibilities of inclusion of Kosovo in international trends. To improve the position and aims for brighter perspective there should be touristic guides licensed by the state. In continuance of efforts for protection of market and in the field of tourism as well as other fields the state should protect touristic space of Kosovo. Among others, it is done through elimination the possibility of operating of foreign guides in territory f the country- Kosovo. The approach towards touristic offer of the country should change. This intent to real assessment of natural, cultural, social and administrative parameters. Towards engagement of professional staff in touristic filed and avoiding immediately pseudoprofessionalism. Drafting touristic packages, sold and based on touristic offer of the country had many defects. This last one is based on touristic potential of country, also it s with defects. The presence of Kosovo in regional packaged is very dim. The lack of High Way Morina-Merdar with Corridor X, depending on Serbia except political problems has enabled avoiding Kosovo from regional tours, etc. In perspectives it is recommended to undertake concrete activities from the state and society to overcome these problems, some of them are known, some of them are known in this study and others. Positive aspects, as youth, knowledge of foreign languages, hospitality as proved value from Albanians, taste on preparing foods, law prices, etc. should be encouraging aspects not only declaratively to simulate new engagements and advancing the perspective of touristic position of Kosovo. Secondly, it is necessary a policy division by rural and urban areas. Groups of problems and the level of the feeling represented at local level is different. Work and investment to be made from the institutional bodies in rural areas is greater. This is due to the low level of confidence and sense of detachment from local governing authorities. Thirdly, the analysis shows that to increase the quality of life of the citizens, it is necessary the realization and implementation of policies for concrete problems of this municipality. They must be practically applicable, to be shown to the citizens, to be discussed with them the issues/priorities and to conclude together the best way of solving them. 32

6 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development Alexander Moisiu University, Durrës, Albania This will serve as the first point of strengthening the relationship between them since the citizens will feel participant in decision-making. The other point that has direct connection with enhancing of life quality is the application for this policies. If this relationship is terminated or corrupted (as it can be considered the current situation) than the citizens hardly can turn to References 1. Naim Kelmendi, Zonat gjeneruese dhe tërheqëse të trafikut në Kosovë-Aspekti socio-ekonomik, Master Study, Map No. 13, Prashtina, May Empirical research, realized by the author during the period January June Interview No. 5 Operating tour Alb Tours d (Interviewed, Director: Islam Qunaku). society contributors. They will remain still at the stage of fulfilling personal/family necessity. Finally, the duty to resolve this disconnection remains largely to the local governing bodies. If this chain of actions towards the strengthening of relations and cooperation will function, it will be a win-win situation for all parties involves and society in general. 4. Interviewed by Fitim Humolli and Donjeta Berisha, Prishtina, Interview No. 26, Joseph Giacopelli, tourist from USA. Interviewed by Donjeta Berisha, Suhareka Interviewed No.27, Anna Graca Cox, tourist from USA, Interviewed by Donjeta Berisha, Suhareka