Ecotourism opportunities and challenges in Butrint, Albania, a unique UNESCO and Ramsar site Ferdinand Bego (1), Jamarber Malltezi (2) (1) Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Albania. E-mail: ferdibego@gmail.com (2) Agriculture University of Tirana, Albania E-mail: abi.malltezi@gmail.com Abstract This paper provides ecotourism opportunities in the Butrint National Park (BNP), designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and Ramsar site in 2003. Geographical position, landscape and biodiversity combined with a very rich culture heritage makes the site to be the most frequented by foreign visitors in Albania. Other new opportunities to bring more visitors outside the summer touristic season, such as birdwatching, walking trials, biking, scuba-diving are discussed. The paper raises concerns that the ecotourism opportunities are put at risk by a number of uncontrolled human activities, such as illegal urbanization and massive tourism, wetland reclamation, mining, irrational marine aquaculture, hunting, excessive grazing and fires. Finally, some recommendations on how to address these concerns and maximize potential for ecotourism development of this unique UNESCO and Ramsar Site in Albania are suggested. Keywords: Ecotourism, conservation, scuba-diving, guided tours, birdwatching Introduction Nature-based or ecotourism can be encouraged in coastal protected areas aimed at achieving sustainability. Well-planned tourism provides economic and political incentives for management and for conservation, and may bring additional benefits to local communities and regional economies (Agardy, M. T, 1993). National parks provide grounds for education and recreation, and immense opportunities for ecotourism (Achama, F. 1995; IUCN, 1994). Butrint has been identified as one of the sites of particular cultural and environmental values in Mediterranean region (UNEP B.P/R.A.C., 1988). Butrint ( 39º 50 N and 20º 00 E) is located in the south west corner of Albania, some 12 km South of the Saranda city (Figure 1). It borders with Greece to the South and the Ionian Sea to the West. Butrint was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992 under cultural criterion (III), stating: it bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition and civilization that has disappeared. In December 1997, UNESCO placed the site on the UNESCO s List of World Heritage in Danger. In December 1999, the World Heritage Site of Butrint was enlarged and endorsed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Butrint Archeological Park was established by the government of Albania under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Property in 1999 and covered an area of 25 square kilometers. It encompassed the ancient city of Butrint, part of Lake Butrint, Lake Bufi zone, the Vivari Channel, and the surrounding wetland area, hills covered with forests and shrubs. The Governmental Decree No. 531, dated 31.10.2002 designated the wetland complex of Butrint covering a territory of 13500 ha as Ramsar Site and the application was due to the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention for inclusion in the list of the Ramsar Sites. The National Park was established in November 2005, by means of the Government Decree No. 693, dated 10.11.2005, covering an area of 8,591.2 ha.
Figure 1. Location of the Butrint national park The Butrint Foundation was established since 1993 by Lord Rothschild and Lord Sainsbury, aiming at protection of the Butrint archeological site and its surrounding. Over the last 17 years archeologists supported by this foundation have explored and restored a number of archeology sites, monuments and amphora. The Butrint Foundation has taken care in preserving, maintaining and promoting the archeological and cultural values and assets of this particular world heritage site. National Centre of Mediterranean Theatre organised in 2000 The International Theatre Festival or Butrint 2000. Since then, this event has become an annual activity and every year draws many theatre troupes from all the Mediterranean countries and a significant number of spectators to Butrint (Figure 2). Entertainment competitions and beauty contests are also organized such as Miss Albania, Miss Shqipëria, etc.
Figure 2. International Butrint Festival of Theatres organized at Butrint Amphitheater The Park administration is located at the Butrint Coordination and Administration Office in Saranda. Other facilities inside the Butrint ancient town are the Museum of Butrint-a highly acclaimed refurbished museum and supporting facilities, the ticket office, the souvenir shop, the exhibition area, and toilets. Butrint National Park (BNP) is one of the most important sites in Albania destined for archeological tourism, eco-tourism and other leisure activities. There are projects and master plans for tourism development in the BNP territory, particularly along the coastal belt Çuka Channel-Ksamil. Tourism plays an important role for the socio-economic development of the area. Two main sources for tourism development are the Butrint National Archaeological Park (the Butrint World Heritage Site) and Ksamil. The Butrint Park is considered as an asset also for future development. It is integral part of tourism agendas of several tourism operators, which for the moment address mainly daily foreign tourists ( due to its location just opposite of Corfu) as well as domestic tourists. Values and Ecotourism opportunities The Butrint Park represents a unique blend of cultural and natural landscapes that illustrate the exchange between man and nature for over three millennia. The result is a magical landscape rich in archaeology and diverse natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats. This landscape is unspoiled by development and is rich in habitats that support 35 Globally Threatened species. At its centre is the main archaeological site of Butrint. The site, framed by the waters of the Vivari Channel and Lake Butrint and hidden in woodland, is a magical place. The unique combination of archaeology and nature creates a special atmosphere found nowhere else in the Mediterranean. Beyond the main site other monuments illustrate over 3,000 years of human occupation. Cultural Heritage. The Park of Butrint retains a high level of traditions and cultural practices that are influenced by its geographical position and exchange with neighboring regions and countries, especially Greece. The villages retain their own dances, songs and traditional costume. People of BNP area belong to different religion entities, but they all have lived in peace and harmony. Within the Ramsar Site there are 11 major archaeological sites dating from the middle Paleolithic to the 19th century (see Figure 3). The most important of which is that of the ancient port of Buthrotum (Butrint today), which has been an archaeological park and focus for school and college groups since the early 1970s. Buthrotum was first designated as a Cultural Monument in 1948. In 1992, it was also declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In recent years the cultural importance of the landscape setting of the archaeology was recognized by the enlargement of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation to incorporate an area of 2900 ha (December 1999). This enlargement was complimented by the establishment of the Butrint National Archaeological Park (March 2000), which covers a large section of the Vrina plain, Ksamil peninsula, Lake Bufi, Alinura lagoon, the saltwater and fresh water marshes and the southern part of Lake Butrint. Out of the 11 sites only the main site (ancient town of Butrint) is open to visitors (Figure 4). Comparatively little research has been undertaken on the neighboring sites and as a result there is a huge potential for the development and expansion of the archaeological resource.
Figure 3. Cultural and natural monuments of Butrint national park
Figure 4. Butrint Amphitheater Natural heritage. Wetland complex of Butrint represents one of the most important coastal wetland sites of Albania. As part of the North-South and East-West migration routes for water birds, Butrint is, along with other coastal wetlands of the country, an important stop-over site for migratory water birds offering shelter and food for a great number of migratory bird species. Recent observations (Hagemeijer et al. 1993, Kayser et al. 1995, 1997, Bino et al. 1996, Bino et al. 1997, Zekhuis & Tempelman 1998, and Bino & Jorgo unpublished observations) and others reported in the existing literature (Ticehurst & Whistler 1932) have identified up to now 247 bird species in the wetland complex of Butrint. Butrint is particularly rich in waders (order Charadriformes), and represent one of the two single wetland sites in Albania where the slender-billed curley (Numenius tennuirostris), a global critically endangered species is observed. For its distinguished ornithological values the wetland complex of Butrint has been designated a Ramsar Site, recognized as a wetland site of international importance. There is no doubt that all this richness in waterbirds provides a great opportunity for birdwatching. The Butrint lake and its adjacent wetland and coastal habitats is identified as one of the 19 most important coastal areas identified as Specially Protected Area-SPA in the frame of the activity Specially Protected Areas of the Mediterranean Sea of the Barcelona Convention (RAC/SPA, Tunis, 1995). Additionally, the Butrint has been recently recognized as ASCI (Area of Special Conservation Interest) and become part of the EMERALD network of Albania. The Butrint National Park (BNP) is one of the very few remaining sites along the coastal zone of Albania where the natural and semi natural habitats of evergreen woodland dominated by (Quercus ilex). Littoral waters of Butrint are frequented by sea turtles (Caretta caretta), dolphins (mainly bottle nose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus), while the monk seal (Monachus monachus) may occasionally visit the area. Fresh and brackish waters of the wetland complex of Butrint are inhabited by a number of species of conservation concern, among which one can mention the otter (Lutra lutra), a species of international conservation concern. Wetland ecosystem of BNP area is rich in biodiversity, both in habitats and species. Some 247 bird species, of which 70% are water birds, 9 amphibians and 25 reptiles (representing 60-75 % of the country s herpetofauna) and 39 mammals (cc. 60 % of the country s mammalofauna) are reported for the site. The preliminary results have shown that the area is one of the most important coastal complexes of Albania, with nearly 17% of country s species richness. Regarding the diversity of its flora and fauna it is clear that Butrint reaches the highest figures ever registered in an Albanian wetland complex (Table 1).
Biological groups Number of species National % Species of NCC 1 Plants 800-900 27% 32 Insects 1500-2000 12,5% 10 Fish 105 34% - - Amphibians 10 67% 5 2 Reptiles 28 75% 15 6 Birds 247 75% 57 13 Mammals 39 53% 21 14 Total 2729-3329 17% 140 35 Table 1. Number of species found in Butrint and Species of Conservation Concern Globally Threatened Species Some 140 plant and animal species of Butrint national park are of National Conservation Concern, while 35 animal species are having a global conservation interest (IUCN, 2001). Newly re-established wetlands along the southern part of BNP area, due to collapse of drainage scheme over the last 10 years, especially those on the western part of Vrina plain (Figure 5), have remarkably increased biodiversity values of the entire Ramsar site. This has resulted in the increase of habitat and species diversity, particularly with regard to water birds using these shallow waters (fresh and brackish) as resting and feeding sites. Keeping these newly wetlands under their natural succession process is considered crucial for the ecological integrity of the entire Butrint wetland complex-ramsar Site. Figure 5 Recently re-established wetlands in the west of Vrina plain Aesthetic and landscape characteristics: The symbiotic relationship between man and the environment lends significant value to the landscape in terms of the history and archeology of the settlement of Butrint. The landscape is dramatically beautiful in its range of features from high mountains low plains, marshland, lakes and sea shore (Figure 6). Human intervention is still at a scale that harmonizes with nature rather than dominates it. Land use and local economy is also reflected in the history of the landscape. Historic sources record the important of the woodlands of Butrint for timber for shipbuilding 1 NCC National Conservation Concern
and export. Likewise, the recorded export of fish and cattle indicate the long existence of fish traps and use of land for pasture. The huts and pens belonging to the tradition of transhumant shepherds add a further dimension to the matrix of human intervention in the shaping of the landscape. Traditional methods of agriculture still prevail and take the observer back to a lifestyle long forgotten in most of Europe. Figure 6. View over Vivari Channel There is a paid service raft transportation which connects the ancient city and the main area of the Park with its southern part and with the commune of Xarre through the Butrint channel, for a 70 m length. The users of this itinerary (it is a pre-established itinerary) are mainly the inhabitants of the Vrine, Xarre and Mursi villages. It is also used by the tourists who want to make a tour or visit the other valuable objects. A rope anchored on both sides of the channel serves as a rudder for the watercraft (raft) which works with electric power. This transport mean is very much appreciated for its originality (Figure 7). Figure 7. Raft transportation operating at Vivari channel, nearby Butrint ancient town Traditional farming, fishing and grazing together with the outstanding cultural, historical, and archeological and landscape values and beauties of the site are considered great potentials for ecotourism development. Challenges As tourism grows and while the new boundaries of the BNP remain ill-defined as do the Park s legal powers, there will always be pressure from developers. The expansion of the park boundaries to 86 km 2 in
October 2005 is an important positive step forward, but it also brings difficulties and new challenges. The Park territory today includes areas such as Ksamil commune which has been an explosion in informal development over the last 15 years, and the BNP administration, under the existing land-use planning rules, has no legal authority yet. The new Law on Spatial Planning obliges local authorities to draft their own land-use plans. Thus, the communes of Ksamil, Xarre and Aliko should develop their land-use plans, amid high pressure for coastal development. Yet, the law provides that in areas of national interest (e.g. national parks, cultural sites, etc.) the local land-use plans must abide to national criteria for land-use. Bearing in mind the above, and due to the fact that those local authorities have little if any experience with developing local land-use plans, the BNP and national authorities should take the lead, supervise and provide assistance to ensure that any development in the area comply with the approved local land-use plans, and that those land-use plans are in compliance with national priorities bearing in mind its status as a National Park, a Ramsar site, as well as a UNESCO site of World Heritage. The plan for Road network redevelopment in the Saranda region represents a great opportunity for the development of the region. It provides at the same time an opportunity to re-think the access to the park and to explore innovative new ways of bringing tourists into the BNP area. The road from Saranda along the Ksamil peninsula to Butrint is the main access road to the park. It is narrow, and in dangerous conditions given the increasing volume of traffic using it, especially during summer months. There are ongoing civil works to widen and rehabilitate the access road, which will certainly improve access of the visitors to the Park, and better manage the traffic especially during the summer touristic peak. But, on the other hand, its route through the heart of the national park makes it one of the most immediate problems for the protection of park. Road rehabilitation should be conducted in full respect of the unique archeological values of the Butrint as UNESCO site and its key natural habitats along the Vivari channel. Furthermore, this coastal road should remain for tourism purposes only, while the new road that passes through the hinderground, East of Butrint Lake, should be used for agricultural commercial activity In spite of the progress made to protect and manage archeological assets of the BNP, there is an increasing pressure throughout most of the park territory from illegal construction (especially in Ksamil- Manastiri area), dumping construction waste materials along the road, lake and seashore, irrational development of marine aquaculture, uncontrolled grazing and overgrazing, illegal hunting and poaching, mining activity (mainly quarries), and fires. The plans for rehabilitation of the drainage scheme of Vrina plain would result in reclaiming and destruction of the most import and sensitive area of the Butrint Ramsar Site for water birds, while irrational aquaculture activity along the coastal area, especially in Cape Stillo, has resulted in destruction of the coastal areas and small islands and severe impacts on marine benthic communities and sea grasses (Posidonia oceanica), very sensitive and important habitats for the marine ecology and economy, and included in the list of priority habitats for Europe (Annex I, Habitat Directive, 92/43/EEC). Albania has made over the last decade a remarkable progress in legislation and institutional reforms, but still there is existing confusion and uncertainties in implementing laws defining and sharing competences and responsibilities among institutions with regard to control and management of natural resources of the Butrint National Park territory. BNP is widely recognized as a touristic destination for its archeological and cultural values, and visited mainly during summer months, but nature, biodiversity, and cultural landscape of Butrint Park are yet to be introduced into the touristic agenda for visitors. Butrint has become an increasing touristic attraction, but human capacities and management infrastructure in service to visitors are limited and poorly developed (insufficient staff, equipment, information and interpretation panels, eco-guides, guided tours, walking trials, birdwatching towers, camping sites, etc.). Over the last years the number of visitors to Butrint is growing up, but there is a need to extend tourism and leisure activity outside the walls of the Butrint ancient town and beyond touristic peak of summer months (Figure 8).
Number of visitors to Butrint Park 70000 60000 50000 40000 52050 47831 42876 38225 53440 58547 30000 20000 10000 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Figure 8. Number of visitors in the Butrint archeological site (tickets) during 2003-2008 Interventions into the hydrological system of Butrint lake (deviation of Bistrica and Kalasa rivers), reclamation of the marshlands in the North (field of Vurgu) and in the South (field of Vrina), development of aquaculture, farming and demographical growth inside and outside BNP area have drastically changed ecological balance of this coastal ecosystem. Consequently, several dystrophic crises have taken place over the last 50 years, accompanied with massive death of fish stock and mussels and acceleration of eutrophication processes. As the pumping station of Vrina has been out of function over the last 15 years, a considerable part of Vrina-Xarra plain (250 ha) has turned into a tidal fresh and brackish water marshland, where natural succession processes have taken place. Hence, important natural and semi natural habitats of critical importance for water birds have been created. But, in case of rehabilitation of the pumping station of Vrina as already planned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection, all these natural succession processes would be interrupted and biodiversity values of the Site would be drastically reduced, especially those related with water birds, putting so at risk the ecological integrity of the core area of the Butrint national park and Ramsar Site. Discussion Historical associations are an important aspect of the historical values of the cultural landscape of Butrint. Long life archeology and diversity of cultures during 3000 years is the key of Butrint success. Greeks, Romans, Bizant, Angjevinet, Venetians and Ottomans have all left their signs in Butrint. Monuments of Butrint are special for their aesthetic, scientific and historical values. The beauty of Butrint is yet to be discovered; other explorations are expected in the near future. The Butrint National Park area is the most important destination in Albania for tourism and leisure activities. Butrint is currently a popular venue for public events such as beauty contests, concerts and theatrical performances. This is helping the BNP to be promoted both nationally and internationally. The Butrint ancient town and other archeological sites inside the BNP area (Diaporidi, Shen Dhimitri, Kalivo, Shen Deli, Venetian towers, Ali Pasha fortress, and Dema s Monastery) are strong attractions for domestic and foreign visitors (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Use of Butrint park for education and recreation Although the number of visitors during the last years has increased, the site enjoys a much higher potential for accommodating a larger number of visitors, as well as for developing other types of environmentally friendly tourism such as birdwatching, cultural tourism, agro-tourism, sport tourism (i.e. scuba-diving, sport fishing, wind surfing), etc. Development of eco-tourism is considered as one the management goals of the new Management Plan for BNP that has been prepared recently, with financial
support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In order to achieve this goal, several operational objectives have been set up for the coming 5 years (2010-2015), such as: Preserve the ecological integrity of the site, making sure that newly re-established wetlands of Vrina plain are not impacted by the drainage rehabilitation investment in the BNP area; Improve park interpretation (informative panels, boards, tracking); Maintain and improve main trials of the Butrint park area; Create and improve infrastructure in order to increase access of the visitors in the park area, both in time and space (extending tourism activity outside summer months and bringing visitors outside the walls of Butrint archeological site); Building at least two birdwatching towers along the western part of Vrina Plain (the most important bird area inside the Butrin Ramsar site for wintering and breeding waterbirds); Establishment of two information visitor centers (one at Ksamil and the other at Mursi village); Creation of a small and modest Museum of nature values of the park; Preparation of nature guides /ecoguides and various itineraries suitable for different interestgroups and age-groups; Promotion of new forms of recreation and environmental sound tourism in the park The rapid rise in tourist numbers will create major challenges for the Butrint National Park management. There is a need to develop tourist activity beyond the inner walls of the ancient site of Butrint. The Park should encourage visitors to cross the Vivari channel and visit Triangular castle, to explore the archeology, culture and rich biodiversity of Vrina plain, Kalivo, Diaporidi. Similarly, visitors should be encouraged to visit the square fortress of Ali Pasha, and so on. The network of walking trials around the site should be maintained and expanded and the visitors should be encouraged to use them. The Park should create the infrastructure to develop other forms of sustainable tourism activities, such as birdwatching, bike-riding, horse-riding, camping, scuba diving, windsurfing, so that the touristic season could be extended beyond the summer months. However, the development of tourism activities should consider the environmental protection and wildlife conservation objectives of the national park. Rehabilitation of the wetlands re-established in some parts of the former marshland of Xarra-Vrina plain would not only increase the landscape and biodiversity values of the park, but would also result in direct and indirect economic benefits for the locals due to excepted increase of tourists, especially eco-tourists. They would visit the park all year along, including winter season, because the restored wetlands would host a greater number of waterbirds, as particular feature attracting birdwatchers worldwide. Rehabilitation of damaged and burned forests and planting of trees along the roads and paths used by visitors to walk along would also increase natural and landscape values and number of visitors taken away outside the walls of Butrint ancient town. Consequently, the number of tourists visiting other parts of the park, especially during the hot season (summer months), would increase, and this in return would increase the income for the local people. Conclusions The Butrint National Park, as a UNESCO as well as a Ramsar Site, provides great opportunities for ecotourism activities, such as hiking, biking, walking trials, birdwatching, picnics, sun and sea beach, wind surfing, scuba diving, sport fishing and so on. Organic products produced locally by farmers support such forms of tourism and contribute to improved livelihood of the locals. Improvement of park interpretation and infrastructure is crucial to eco-tourism development. Preparation of nature guides /eco-guides and various itineraries suitable for different interest-groups and age-groups are important steps to eco-tourism development in the Butrint. Promotion of any form of eco-development and support to traditional way of living in the park should be considered priority issues to Butrint park administration. Communes of Ksamil, Xarre and Aliko should be encouraged to undertake actions for sewage water channalisation and treatment before their discharge into the lake of the sea.
Enforcement of legal status of the Butrint National Park, strengthen its Management Authority and Administration, increase the environmental performance of the park administration and improve supervision and control of the Butrint park area is a must. Eco-tourism and other forms of tourism should be in comply with conservation objectives of the Butrint National Park, Ramsar and UNESCO site, such as preservation and restoration of ecological integrity of the coastal and wetland ecosystems and habitats of the park, as well as protection of priority habitats and species of the park area. It is essential that development plans and projects are integrated taking into consideration the legal status of the Butrint National Park and are harmonized with primary nature and biodiversity conservation objectives of the park area. Acknowledgements We are very thankful to Butrint park administration and local authorities for providing us with valuable data and information, as well as for their support. References Achama, F. 1995. Defining ecotourism. In: Haysith and Harvey, J. (eds). Nature Conservation and Ecotourism in central America. Wildlife Conservation Society, Florida, pp 23-32. Agardy, M. Tundi, 1993. Accommodating ecotourism in multiple use planning of coastal and marine protected areas. Ocean & Coastal Management. Volume 20, Issue 3, 1993, pp 219-239. MoTA&T, 2003. National Strategy of Tourism Development in Albania. IUCN, 2001. Redlist of Globally Threatened Species. IUCN, 1994. Parks for Life: Action for Protected Areas in Europe UNEP B.P/R.A.C., 1988. The Blue Plan. Future of the Mediterranean Basin. Environment- Development 2000-2025. Executive Summary and Suggestions for Action. Bino, T., Tourenq, C., Kayser, Y., Bussutil, S., Crozier, J., Dore, B.J. & Bego, F. 1996. Recensement des oiseaux d'eau hivernants en Albanie (14-31 janvier 1996). Rapport de la Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Museum des Sciences de la Nature de Tirana, ASPBM et LIPU. 102pp. Hagemeijer, W.J.M., Schepers, F. & Hallmann, B. 1993. Wintering waterbirds in the coastal wetlands of Albania, 1993. WIWO-Report Nr. 49. Kayser, Y., Bino, T., Bego, F., Fremuth, W. & Jorgo. G. 1997. Recensement des oiseaux d'eau hivernants en Albanie (3-19 Janvier 1997). Rapport de la Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat (France) et Museum des Sciences de la Nature (Tirana; Albanie). 52 pp. Kayser, Y., Bino, T. & Gauthier-Clerc, M. 1995. Recensement des oiseaux d'eau hivernants en Albanie. 17 janvier - 7 février 1995. Rapport de la Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat. 79pp. Ticehurst, C. B. & Whistler, H. 1932. On the ornithology of Albania. Ibis 13-II: 40-93. Zekhuist, M. J. & Tempelman, D. 1998. Breeding waterbirds of the Albanian wetlands, spring 1996. WIWO-report Nr. 64, Zeist.