Tourism as a Growth Engine: Why Every Local Business in Southern Albania Benefits from Foreign Visitors

I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for many years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: nothing fuels this region like tourism. The moment visitors step off the ferry from Corfu, or drive down from Tirana, the entire local economy feels it. From the fisherman who wakes before dawn to the family who runs a small guesthouse above the Ionian, tourism isn’t just a seasonal bonus. It’s the heartbeat of southern Albania.

The First Impression

There’s something about the way people react when they see the coastline here for the first time. The deep turquoise water, the curve of Ksamil’s bays, the endless horizon from Borsh. I’ve seen it countless times with clients — eyes widen, voices drop a little, almost in disbelief. That first impression doesn’t just sell holidays; it sells lifestyles. It’s why so many visitors eventually start asking me about Saranda apartments for sale or seaview properties where they can wake up to that view every single day.

And honestly, I can’t blame them. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

More Than Just the Sea

But the sea is only the beginning. Albania is layered — culture, food, people, small traditions that outsiders only notice when they slow down. You can sit in a taverna in Lukova and eat fish that was caught an hour earlier. Or try byrek at a bakery where the same family has been rolling dough for three generations.

It’s not unusual here to be invited into someone’s home for a coffee. Always a strong one, always served with sugar even if you don’t ask. That warmth is something foreigners notice right away. And it’s what makes them return.

Last summer, I walked with a couple from the Netherlands through the narrow lanes above the Saranda port. We stopped at a small bar tucked between apartment buildings — the kind of place you’d probably miss if you weren’t paying attention. The owner brought us raki, on the house. The couple told me later that this simple gesture convinced them Albania was where they wanted to invest. Not just in property, but in their future.

The Ripple Effect of Visitors

What fascinates me most is how tourism touches every part of life here. When visitors book beachfront property in Ksamil, they’re not just buying real estate. They’re supporting the builders, the local shops that sell materials, the young people who design interiors. When they eat grilled shrimp in Borsh, that supports the fisherman, the waiter, the supplier who delivers lemons from a farm up the road.

It’s all connected.

And as real estate agents, we see the strongest impact. Every tourist who rents a small apartment in July may return in September asking about affordable properties for long-term investment. I can’t count how many times a casual holiday has turned into a serious conversation about buying a villa.

A Quiet Luxury Rising in Ksamil

Just a few months ago, I visited our newest development in Ksamil — White Residence . The apartments there are brand new, finished this year, with a private swimming pool for residents. What I like most isn’t only the build quality, but the setting: a quiet, new neighborhood only seven minutes on foot from the beach. It feels like Ksamil is slowly discovering its own “quiet luxury” side. And that appeals not just to tourists, but to families looking for a second home, or investors searching for the next Mediterranean gem.

I sometimes joke that Ksamil doesn’t need marketing. One walk down its white-sand beaches is enough.

The Overlooked Corners

Southern Albania still has plenty of places that don’t appear on Instagram feeds. Take Borsh, for example. Everyone knows the 7 km stretch of beach — the longest in the Ionian — but few stop in the old stone village up the hill. There’s a tiny church hidden behind olive trees where locals still gather on feast days. That combination of sea and tradition is what makes Borsh so powerful.

And now, slowly, new developments are appearing here too. Our White Residence Villas in Borsh are an example. Three-story villas, each with its own private pool, designed to blend with the Mediterranean hillside. It’s not loud luxury. It’s understated. And that’s exactly what many foreign buyers are looking for today.

When Culture Becomes an Asset

Foreign visitors don’t just spend money — they adopt parts of our culture. I’ve watched Italians learn to play dominoes with old men at a Saranda café. I’ve seen French families fill their suitcases with local olive oil because they swear it tastes different here. I’ve even had clients ask if they could import Albanian honey back home.

Sometimes I catch myself going on tangents about these things during property viewings. But that’s the beauty of living here — everything is connected to culture. And culture, in Albania, is never separate from land.

The Bigger Picture

Tourism is more than numbers in government reports. It’s the reason small businesses thrive, why farmers expand their fields, why families decide to stay in villages instead of moving abroad. For real estate, it’s the best advertisement we could ask for. Because when someone falls in love with a holiday here, buying property becomes the natural next step.

I believe southern Albania still has space to grow. Prices are rising, yes, but compared to the rest of the Mediterranean, this is still one of the most affordable coastal regions in Europe. The demand for seaview apartments, beachfront homes, and long-term investments only increases each summer.

And the best part? It doesn’t feel overcrowded yet. You can still find hidden bays, quiet tavernas, family-run hotels. It’s the balance of growth and authenticity that makes this place so rare.

A Final Thought

Every time I sit with a new visitor, whether they’re here to buy or simply to explore, I realize how much this region gives. Tourism doesn’t just bring money. It brings energy. Ideas. A sense of possibility. And that benefits every single person who calls southern Albania home.

So, whether you’re just coming for the beaches or you’re considering investing in a seaview apartment in Saranda, know this: you’re stepping into a region where tourism isn’t a trend. It’s the engine that keeps the whole story moving forward.

Photo Credits: Arameras Beach Resort, Ksamil.