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Ksamil

Ksamil is a coastal village and administrative unit in the Sarandë municipality of Vlorë County, southern Albania, positioned along the Albanian Riviera on the Ionian Sea coast.^[1] It encompasses an area of about 12 square kilometers and had a population of 2,731 residents according to the 2023 national census. Renowned for its fine white-sand beaches, exceptionally clear turquoise waters, and cluster of small offshore islets reachable by swimming or paddle, Ksamil draws significant tourism focused on seaside recreation and natural scenery.^[2] Originally developed in the 1960s as a restricted socialist-era settlement and military zone under communist rule, the locality transitioned post-1991 into a burgeoning resort area, benefiting from its adjacency to Butrint National Park and relative affordability compared to neighboring Greek destinations.^[3] While celebrated for ecological assets like pristine marine environments, rapid visitor influx has strained infrastructure, leading to seasonal overcrowding and calls for sustainable management.^[4]

Geography

Location and Topography

![Ksamil location in Albania](./assets/Albania_(location_map ) Ksamil is a coastal village in southern Albania, situated in the municipality of Sarandë within Vlorë County. It occupies a position on the Albanian Riviera along the Ionian Sea, approximately 12 kilometers south of Sarandë and near the international border with Greece. The village's coordinates are roughly 39°46′ N, 20°00′ E.^[5]^[6] The topography consists of a low-lying coastal strip with elevations averaging around 20 meters above sea level, featuring fine white sand beaches and shallow, turquoise bays. Several small offshore islets, formed from limestone, dot the adjacent waters, accessible by foot or small boat at low tide. Inland, the terrain rises gently into hills covered in Mediterranean vegetation, providing a backdrop to the shoreline.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Climate

Ksamil has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate classified as Csa under the Köppen system, featuring mild winters with significant rainfall and hot, arid summers influenced by its coastal position on the Ionian Sea.^[10] Annual precipitation totals approximately 1,226 mm, concentrated primarily from October to March, with over 100 rainy days per year.^[10] Summers remain notably dry, supporting the region's tourism appeal, while winter storms occasionally bring stronger winds averaging 10-16 km/h annually.^[11] Temperatures vary seasonally, with average highs peaking at 33 °C in August and lows dipping to 6 °C in January; the annual mean temperature is about 18 °C.^[11] Relative humidity averages 74% year-round, moderated by sea breezes that prevent extreme heat or cold.^[11]

Month	Avg. High (°C)	Avg. Low (°C)	Precipitation (mm)	Rainy Days
January	14	6	140	11
February	14	6	148	10
March	17	8	112	10
April	20	11	50	7
May	24	14	63	9
June	29	18	39	6
July	32	21	17	2
August	33	21	24	3
September	28	18	48	7
October	24	14	120	9
November	19	11	234	14
December	16	7	231	15

Data compiled from historical records; temperatures converted from Fahrenheit averages where necessary.^[11]^[10] The wettest months are November and December, exceeding 230 mm each, while July sees minimal rainfall at 17 mm.^[10] This pattern aligns with broader Albanian Riviera trends, where proximity to the sea tempers extremes but does not eliminate winter precipitation peaks.^[11]

History

Ancient and Medieval Periods

The region encompassing modern Ksamil, part of Butrint National Park, features evidence of human habitation dating to the prehistoric era, with the earliest archaeological traces from approximately 50,000 BC, though continuous settlement likely began in the Bronze Age.^[12] The site of Butrint, located about 5 km south of Ksamil, emerged as a significant Greek colony around 800 BC, influenced by local Chaonian tribes and exhibiting early "polis" organizational elements, including a sanctuary to Asclepius.^[12] ^[13] By the 4th century BC, Butrint developed as a thriving port city under Greek influence, with structures such as a theater and fortifications reflecting Hellenistic architecture.^[14] Roman control was established in 167 BC following the defeat of the Macedonian kingdom, granting Butrint a degree of autonomy until it was formally designated a Roman colony in 48 BC (or 44 BC per some accounts), leading to expansions including a forum, aqueduct, and nymphaeum.^[15] ^[13] The city prospered through the 3rd century AD, benefiting from trade across the Ionian Sea, but suffered severe damage from an earthquake in 365 AD.^[15] In the early medieval period, Butrint transitioned into a Christian episcopal center by the 5th century AD, marked by the construction of basilicas and a baptistery, with fortifications enhanced amid regional instability.^[12] Under Byzantine rule, particularly during Justinian I's reign in the 6th century, the city experienced a revival with new walls and religious buildings, though it faced decline due to invasions and natural disasters.^[14] A 9th-century reconstruction under Byzantine administration restored some infrastructure, but the site entered further abandonment phases exacerbated by marshland formation and malaria.^[12] The late medieval era saw Butrint under Angevin and then Venetian control from the 13th to 15th centuries, prompting defensive upgrades including towers and walls to counter Ottoman threats.^[12] Venetian records document its role as a strategic outpost until a major earthquake and flooding in the late Middle Ages led to its near-total depopulation, with inhabitants relocating to higher ground; nearby Ksamil may have hosted minor ecclesiastical sites, such as remnants associated with a monastery of St. George, though these remain sparsely documented archaeologically.^[12] ^[16] The area's strategic coastal position facilitated intermittent trade and military activity, but by the 16th century, it had largely reverted to rural use amid Ottoman expansion.^[14]

Ottoman and Early Modern Era

The territory now comprising Ksamil was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire during the conquest of southern Albania and Epirus in the early 15th century, following the Ottoman victory over local Venetian and Albanian resistance around 1413 in the nearby Sarandë region.^[17] The area fell under the administrative jurisdiction of the Sanjak of Delvinë, with its center at Delvinë serving as the key Ottoman administrative and military outpost for southern Albania within the broader Rumelia Eyalet.^[1] This sparsely populated coastal zone, adjacent to the ancient site of Butrint, saw limited direct Ottoman settlement or development, functioning primarily as agrarian land subject to imperial taxation and occasional military oversight rather than urban expansion. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the region experienced indirect governance through semi-autonomous Albanian Ottoman figures, notably Ali Pasha of Yanina, who controlled Butrint and constructed fortifications, including the Ali Pasha Castle around 1810, to bolster defenses against regional threats.^[12] However, the site's strategic value diminished as surrounding marshes fostered malaria, leading to Butrint's effective abandonment by the mid-19th century under continued Ottoman nominal rule.^[14] Population dynamics reflected broader Ottoman policies in Albania, with gradual Islamization among locals to evade the cizye poll tax on non-Muslims, though the Ksamil area's low density limited significant demographic shifts or architectural imprints compared to inland centers like Gjirokastër.^[18] Ottoman authority persisted until the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, when Albanian nationalist movements and regional conflicts eroded imperial control, culminating in Albania's declaration of independence on November 28, 1912.^[19] The early modern era in this context marked a period of relative stagnation for the coastal periphery, with economic activity centered on subsistence agriculture and intermittent trade via Sarandë's harbor, which remained undeveloped and resident-free until the early 20th century. This Ottoman legacy of decentralized rule and environmental challenges set the stage for later modernization efforts in the region.

Communist Era and Post-1990s Development

During the communist era under Enver Hoxha, Ksamil remained largely undeveloped and isolated until the 1960s, when Hoxha visited the area and designated it for settlement as a model agricultural village focused on citrus production.^[20]^[21] Its proximity to the Greek border classified the region as a restricted military zone, limiting civilian access and populating it primarily with military personnel and state-directed volunteers tasked with farming subtropical crops like oranges and lemons to support Albania's self-reliance policies.^[20]^[22] The regime's bunkerization program, initiated in the late 1960s amid fears of invasion, dotted the landscape with mushroom-shaped concrete fortifications, reflecting Hoxha's paranoid defense strategy that prioritized fortification over civilian infrastructure.^[23] Tourism was nonexistent due to Albania's total isolation after breaks with the Soviet Union in 1961 and China in 1978, confining economic activity to state-controlled agriculture; by the regime's end in 1991, the village housed fewer than 2,000 residents.^[24]^[25] The fall of communism in 1991 dismantled restrictions, allowing private initiative and foreign visitors, which pivoted Ksamil toward tourism as its beaches and offshore islands gained exposure through word-of-mouth and early liberalization efforts.^[26] Economic turmoil, including the 1997 pyramid scheme collapse that sparked nationwide unrest and pyramid scheme losses exceeding 1.2 billion USD, initially hindered growth, but coastal stability enabled gradual recovery via small-scale investments in guesthouses and eateries by the early 2000s.^[27] Population figures reflect this shift, rising from 1,840 in the 2001 census to 2,994 by 2011, driven by internal migration and seasonal labor tied to emerging tourism. Post-2010 development accelerated with infrastructure upgrades, including roads and accommodations, transforming Ksamil into Albania's premier beach destination and attracting over 1 million annual visitors by the mid-2010s amid broader national tourism surges from 3.4 million arrivals in 2010 to 11.7 million in 2024.^[28]^[29] This boom repurposed abandoned bunkers and farmland for hotels and villas, though uncontrolled construction has strained water resources and ecosystems, exemplifying post-communist Albania's tension between rapid privatization and sustainable planning.^[30]^[24]

Administration and Demographics

Administrative Status

Ksamil functions as a njësi administrative (administrative unit), the third tier of local government in Albania, within the Bashkia Sarandë (Sarandë Municipality).^[31] This structure stems from Albania's 2015 territorial reform, which consolidated smaller municipalities into 61 larger ones to enhance administrative efficiency and service delivery; prior to this, Ksamil operated as an independent municipality.^[32] The bashkia itself falls under Qarku i Vlorës (Vlorë County), one of Albania's 12 counties responsible for regional coordination, though counties hold limited executive powers compared to municipalities.^[33] The administrative unit of Ksamil encompasses the eponymous village of Ksamil and the adjacent village of Manastir, covering an area integrated into the broader Sarandë municipality's jurisdiction for local governance, including urban planning, public services, and fiscal management.^[31] Local administration is headed by an appointed administrator under the mayor of Sarandë, who oversees implementation of municipal policies without independent electoral authority at the unit level.^[32] This setup reflects Albania's decentralized model post-reform, prioritizing economies of scale while preserving subunit identities for community-level operations.^[31] ![Bashkia e Sarandës në Hartën e Shqipërisë.svg.png][center]

Population and Composition

The municipal unit of Ksamil recorded a population of 2,731 in Albania's 2023 census, conducted by the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). This figure reflects a decline from 2,994 inhabitants counted in the 2011 census, aligning with broader national depopulation trends driven by emigration and low birth rates.^[34] Civil registry estimates have historically reported higher numbers, such as approximately 9,000 residents around 2018, potentially accounting for seasonal tourism workers and informal migrants not fully captured in census enumerations.^[35] Demographically, Ksamil's residents are predominantly ethnic Albanian, consistent with southern Albania's composition where Albanians exceed 90% of the population regionally.^[36] Small Greek communities exist in nearby Sarandë, but Ksamil-specific ethnic breakdowns are not published separately by INSTAT, and national minority figures—Greeks at about 23,500 total—indicate limited presence in rural coastal units like Ksamil.^[37] Internal migration has introduced religious diversity, with Muslim (primarily Sunni) and Orthodox Christian adherents coexisting, alongside influences from Bektashi Sufism common in the south; however, precise religious proportions remain undocumented at the local level.^[3] Sex distribution shows a slight male predominance, with males comprising about 51.2% and females 48.8%, based on aggregated municipal data.^[38] Foreign residents are negligible, at 0% in available records, underscoring the unit's reliance on domestic seasonal influxes for economic activity.^[38]

Economy

Primary Sectors

Fishing constitutes a key primary sector in Ksamil, with local artisanal operations targeting the Ionian Sea for species such as mullet, sea bream, and sardines, supporting both subsistence and small-scale commercial supply to nearby markets and restaurants.^[39] Albania's overall capture fisheries production reached approximately 5,729 tonnes in 2006, with coastal areas like Saranda municipality—encompassing Ksamil—contributing through traditional methods including small boats and nets, though the sector remains underdeveloped relative to potential due to limited infrastructure.^[40] Nearby Butrint Lake hosts mussel farming activities, indicating nascent aquaculture efforts that supplement marine fishing in the region.^[41] Agriculture in Ksamil is constrained by rocky terrain and tourism encroachment but includes olive cultivation, a staple in southern Albania's Mediterranean climate, where the country maintains around 10-12 million olive trees primarily along coastal zones.^[42] Local production focuses on olives for oil and table use, alongside limited Mediterranean fruits like figs and citrus, aligning with Albania's broader agricultural output where olives rank among top exports.^[43] These activities employ a fraction of residents, often seasonally, as arable land comprises only about 24% of Albania's total area nationally, with southern riviera plots further limited by development pressures.^[44] Overall, primary sectors contribute modestly to Ksamil's economy, dwarfed by services, reflecting Albania's national pattern where agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for 15.5% of GDP as of 2024.^[45]

Tourism Industry

Tourism dominates Ksamil's economy, primarily through seasonal beach vacations that draw visitors to its white-sand shores and turquoise waters, generating revenue from hotels, restaurants, and water-based activities. The sector employs a significant portion of the local population, with accommodations ranging from budget guesthouses to mid-range resorts achieving high occupancy rates during July and August. International arrivals, especially from Italy, Greece, and Kosovo, have fueled expansion, including new constructions and service enhancements, though exact visitor figures for Ksamil are integrated into broader Saranda municipality statistics.^[46]^[47] Nationally, tourism's growth has bolstered Albania's economy, contributing around 25% to GDP in 2023 via direct and indirect effects, with southern coastal areas like Ksamil central to this impact through increased spending on lodging and local produce. In 2024, Albania recorded 11.7 million foreign tourists and €3.8 billion in revenues, reflecting a 15% rise from 2023, much of which supported Riviera destinations amid rising European demand for affordable seaside escapes. Ksamil benefits from this trend, with operators noting positive economic spillovers such as real estate investments tied to seasonal rentals.^[48]^[49]^[47] Despite robust national figures, local dynamics in Ksamil show seasonality and variability; for instance, Saranda and Ksamil reported weaker performance in summer 2024 compared to 2023, attributed to factors like pricing and competition from neighboring destinations. Early 2025 data indicate national visitor upticks, such as a 37% increase in June, but July saw only marginal 0.4% growth, highlighting potential saturation in high-profile spots like Ksamil. The industry's reliance on summer peaks underscores needs for diversification, though it remains the key engine for local prosperity.^[50]^[51]^[52]

Tourism and Attractions

Beaches and Natural Features

Ksamil's beaches are renowned for their fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters along the Ionian Sea coastline. The primary beach, often referred to as Ksamil Beach, features soft sandy shores that extend parallel to the sea, providing ample space for sunbathing and water activities.^[53] These beaches are complemented by shallow, calm waters with exceptional visibility, attracting swimmers and snorkelers to explore underwater features.^[54] Off the coast lie the Ksamil Islands, a cluster of four small islets that form a distinctive natural feature of the area. The two outermost islands are uniquely linked by a narrow sandbar, creating a picturesque lagoon-like environment accessible by swimming, paddle boats, or canoes from the mainland.^[2] ^[55] These islands, declared a Natural Monument in 2002, support diverse marine habitats and offer secluded spots amid rocky outcrops and clear waters teeming with fish.^[2] The surrounding landscape includes lush greenery and mussel-rich bays, contributing to the region's biodiversity within the broader Butrint National Park vicinity. Water quality remains high, with monitoring efforts aimed at preserving the pristine conditions despite increasing visitor numbers.^[56] ^[57]

Nearby Historical Sites

The principal historical site near Ksamil is the Butrint Archaeological Park, located approximately 5 kilometers south of the village along the Albanian Riviera. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, Butrint features multilayered ruins spanning from prehistoric settlements dating to the 7th century BCE through Greek colonial periods, Roman urban development in the 1st century CE, Byzantine ecclesiastical structures, and later Venetian and Ottoman fortifications. Key preserved elements include a 3rd-century BCE Greek theater seating up to 2,500 spectators, a 6th-century baptistery with intricate mosaic floors depicting marine motifs, and the 13th-century Ali Pasha Mosque, reflecting the site's continuous occupation until its abandonment in the late Middle Ages due to malaria outbreaks in surrounding lagoons.^[12]^[58] Archaeological evidence indicates Butrint's strategic importance as a port and trade hub, with artifacts such as imported Greek pottery and Roman coins underscoring its economic ties to the Mediterranean world; excavations since the 1920s, led by Italian and later Albanian teams, have uncovered over 2,500 years of stratified history without significant modern overlays. The site's marshy terrain preserved organic remains, including wooden structures from early phases, providing rare insights into ancient urban planning influenced by environmental constraints. Access from Ksamil typically involves a short drive or walk along coastal paths, with entry fees supporting ongoing conservation efforts amid rising tourism pressures.^[12]^[59] Farther north, within a 15-kilometer radius toward Sarandë, Lekuresi Castle overlooks the bay and dates to the 16th-18th centuries as an Ottoman-era defensive outpost, offering panoramic views historically used for monitoring maritime routes. Constructed with local stone, it exemplifies regional fortification architecture adapted to rugged topography, though less extensively excavated than Butrint. These sites collectively highlight southern Albania's role in ancient and medieval Eurasian networks, with Butrint's exceptional preservation distinguishing it from more eroded regional monuments.^[60]^[61]

Environmental and Developmental Challenges

Over-Tourism Effects

Ksamil has experienced significant over-tourism pressures since the mid-2010s, driven by its reputation as the "Maldives of Europe," leading to seasonal influxes that strain local capacity. In 2023, Albania's tourism sector contributed 25% to GDP, with Ksamil's beaches attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, resulting in overcrowding that diminishes the natural appeal of its small coastal areas.^[48] ^[29] Environmental degradation manifests prominently through litter accumulation on beaches and in seawater, exacerbated by high visitor density and unregulated activities like jet skis and motorboats, which introduce fuel contamination. Rapid construction of high-rise hotels and bars has fragmented habitats and contributed to erosion of natural sand dunes, with reports indicating a loss of pristine coastal ecosystems formed over centuries. Water scarcity has intensified, as surging tourist numbers—up 80% in recent years—deplete local resources, leading to shortages that affect both residents and visitors during peak summer months.^[62] ^[63] ^[64] Social and infrastructural challenges include skyrocketing prices for accommodations and services, parking shortages, and traffic congestion, which locals attribute to insufficient planning for mass arrivals. Beaches, limited in size compared to regional counterparts, become densely packed, reducing space for relaxation and increasing conflicts over sunbed access. These effects have prompted concerns among residents and analysts that unchecked growth risks long-term sustainability, mirroring patterns in other Mediterranean destinations.^[29] ^[64] ^[65]

Conservation and Infrastructure Issues

Ksamil's conservation efforts face significant challenges from rapid tourism expansion, which has led to environmental degradation including plastic pollution and habitat disruption around its offshore islands and coastal ecosystems. The small islands adjacent to Ksamil, part of a protected area, have experienced increased solid waste and plastic pollution due to heightened human activity, exacerbating threats to marine biodiversity such as seagrass beds and endemic species.^[66]^[67] Forest damage and improper land use in the vicinity have further strained local ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss in an area known for its pristine natural features.^[68] Marine pollution from nearby fish farms in Ksamil adds to sediment and nutrient runoff, potentially harming water quality and coral-like structures in the Butrint National Park buffer zone.^[69] Beach litter surveys along the Ksamil coast, including sites like King Beach and Mirror Beach, reveal high concentrations of plastics and urban waste, linked to inadequate disposal during peak tourist seasons.^[70] Coastal erosion poses an additional conservation risk, with Albania's Ionian shoreline—including areas near Ksamil—experiencing retreat rates of 0.3 to 20 meters per year in vulnerable spots, accelerated by unregulated construction and wave action intensified by climate change.^[71] Uncontrolled development in Ksamil has historically prioritized tourism infrastructure over erosion mitigation, leading to loss of beachfront habitats and increased vulnerability to sea-level rise.^[72]^[73] Infrastructure deficiencies compound these issues, as Ksamil's growth has outpaced waste management and sanitation systems, resulting in irregular collection, overflowing rubbish during summer peaks, and reports of raw sewage discharge affecting beaches.^[74]^[75] Water quality monitoring in 2025 rated Ksamil beaches as 33.3% excellent and 66.7% good, yet overall coastal declines signal strain from untreated wastewater and tourism pressures.^[76] Rehabilitation of sewerage networks in Ksamil remains incomplete, with EU-funded projects addressing primary and secondary systems but facing delays amid rising visitor numbers exceeding local capacity.^[77] These gaps highlight a broader national shortfall in wastewater treatment plants along the Albanian Riviera, where seasonal tourism overwhelms existing facilities.^[69] In response, Albanian authorities announced in September 2025 that Ksamil's beaches would revert to municipal management from private operators starting in 2026, aiming to improve oversight and reduce privatization-driven overdevelopment.^[78]

Recent Developments

Tourism Growth Trends

Tourism in Ksamil has surged as part of Albania's broader coastal boom, with the village emerging as a prime destination on the Albanian Riviera due to its beaches and islands. Albania's international tourist arrivals grew from approximately 3.4 million in 2019 to 11.7 million in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of over 12% in the preceding decade for foreign visitors.^[79]^[80] Ksamil, with its permanent population of about 2,994, experiences peak seasonal influxes exceeding 9,000 visitors daily, straining local capacity amid this national uptick.^[57] The post-pandemic recovery accelerated Ksamil's appeal, drawing comparisons to the "Maldives of Europe" and attracting European vacationers seeking affordable, uncrowded alternatives to overtouristed spots like Croatia or Greece. Short-term rental data for 2025 indicates average annual revenues of $5,204 per listing in Ksamil, with average daily rates at $83 and occupancy around 36%, signaling robust demand despite seasonal fluctuations.^[81] Hotel and residential developments, such as new luxury projects with private pools completed in 2025, underscore investment responding to rising visitor numbers in the Saranda-Ksamil area.^[47] By mid-2025, Albania recorded 8.34 million foreign visitors from January to August, on pace with prior growth trajectories, though anecdotal reports suggest a potential summer slowdown of up to 30% in some coastal regions including Ksamil, possibly linked to environmental factors like heat or infrastructure limits.^[82]^[83] Overall, Ksamil's tourism has transitioned from niche appeal to mass visitation, contributing to Albania's status as Europe's fastest-growing holiday market, with projections for national totals reaching 12-15 million annually if trends persist.^[84]^[85] This expansion has boosted local economies but raised concerns over sustainability in a village originally designed for smaller-scale residency.^[64]

Policy Responses

In response to rapid tourism growth and associated challenges such as beach privatization and overdevelopment, the Albanian government announced in September 2025 that Ksamil's beaches would transition from private to municipal management starting in summer 2026, aiming to curb abuses, ensure public access, and prioritize service quality over unchecked commercialization.^[86]^[87] Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized removing private control from Ksamil's shoreline to address high prices and violations that have damaged public interest and tourism sustainability.^[88] Complementing this, new national beach regulations enforced from the 2025 summer season mandate at least 300 meters of free public beach per kilometer of coastline, a 10-meter public buffer between water and sunbeds, and restrictions barring independent beach bars from renting sunbeds—limiting such operations to hotels—while requiring minimum infrastructure like restrooms, showers, and lifeguards in public zones.^[89]^[90] These measures seek to balance private enterprise with equitable access amid surging visitor numbers, which exceeded 11.7 million nationwide in 2024.^[91] The broader National Tourism Strategy 2024–2030, approved by the government, incorporates Ksamil-specific elements through the "Ksamil 2030" blueprint, targeting sustainable development by redistributing tourist flows, enhancing infrastructure, and establishing the area as a model for quality-focused tourism rather than mass volume, with goals to accommodate up to 30 million annual visitors by 2030 while mitigating environmental strain.^[92]^[74]^[46] Environmental safeguards under this framework include integrated waste management laws approved in 2025 to protect coastal ecosystems, though implementation faces criticism for insufficient enforcement against pollution and illegal construction.^[93]^[48]

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Jul 4, 2024 · Ethnic Albanians represent 91% of the total population, while 2.8% of the resident population declared another ethnicity.
[37]
Results of Albanian census stir tensions in the region
Jul 4, 2024 · The census reported that, ethnically, there were about 23,500 Greeks, some 2,300 North Macedonians, as well as 2,500 Vlachs and 7,000 Bulgarians ...
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Demographic statistics Municipality of KSAMIL - UrbiStat
Families (N.) 823 ; Males (%), 51.2 ; Females (%), 48.8 ; Foreigners (%), 0.0 ; Average age (years), 0.0.Missing: Institute | Show results with:Institute
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Saranda Albania - Albanian Tourism
Though agriculture and fishing are the primary economic means, its proximity to Greece and burgeoning port has solidified Saranda as a gateway city to Albania.
[40]
Country Fishery Information: Albania - FAO-AdriaMed
Albania's domestic fisheries production in 2006 was approximately 7 699 tonnes, of which 5 729 from capture and 1 970 from aquaculture. In addition, fishery ...
[41]
Blue Economy Investments Including Fisheries and Aquaculture
Establish and operate aquaculture and fishery complex involving developing a vertically integrated, sustainable seafood production operation, combining modern ...
[42]
Emigration and Infrastructure Woes Hold Back Albania's Olive Growers
Jan 16, 2025 · With its Mediterranean climate, Albania boasts some 10 million olive trees growing in otherwise unproductive hilly terrain at relatively low ...
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https://www.invest-in-albania.org/olive-cultivation-rise-albania/
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Albania - Agricultural Sector (AGR) - International Trade Administration
Oct 9, 2021 · Albania has a total land area of 28,750 square kilometers, of which 24% is agricultural, 36% forest, and 15% pasture or other type of land.
[45]
Albania - Agriculture, Value Added (% Of GDP) - Trading Economics
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) in Albania was reported at 15.5 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development ...<|separator|>
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Experience the Magic of Ksamil: Albania's Affordable and Stunning ...
Sep 11, 2025 · Official records corroborate this trend: total arrivals to Albania accelerated to approximately 9 million between January and August 2025 ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts<|separator|>
[47]
What Is the Role of Tourism in Albania's Economy and Real Estate ...
Oct 15, 2025 · Tourism now makes up around 20% of Albania's GDP, directly and indirectly. When someone books a room in Ksamil, they don't just support the ...
[48]
S6E1. The dark side of the "Maldives of Europe" - BarBalkans
Aug 22, 2025 · According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, in 2023 the tourism sector contributed 25% of Albania's GDP. One in five jobs in the ...
[49]
Albania welcomed 11.7 million tourists in 2024 - Albanian Times
Jan 13, 2025 · Albania welcomed 11.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, marking a 15% increase from 2023, with €3.8 billion in revenues generated in the ...
[50]
Ups and Downs in the Tourism Sector - Albanian Daily News
Sep 9, 2024 · For Saranda and Ksamil, tourist operators claim that this is a weaker season than last year. Individual sand-and-sea tourism as a whole recorded ...
[51]
Albania's Tourism Soars in June 2025: Visitor Numbers Up 37%
Jun 1, 2025 · INSTAT's report shows total visitors rose 37.2% compared to last June. Non-resident visitors (foreigners) increased by 37.4%, while resident ...
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Foreign Tourist Arrivals Slightly Up in July - Albanian Daily News
Aug 23, 2025 · The number of foreign tourists who visited Albania in July increased by only 0.4% year-on-year, reaching 1.8 million, the statistics office, ...
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Beaches in Ksamil - Albania Travel Guide
The beaches in Ksamil are among the most beautiful not only in Albania, but also in the Ionian Sea. The downside is the crowds in high season.
[54]
I have been to every beach in Ksamil: These are the best
Oct 7, 2025 · Just off the coast of Ksamil, you'll see four small islets, with the two outermost islands uniquely connected by a narrow strip of sand. This ...
[55]
Ksamil - The Place Of Islands, Albania
The Ksamil Islands are considered the gems of the Albanian Riviera. They are a series of four small islands located off the coast of Saranda, Albania.About Ksamil · Beaches · Snorkeling · Farming
[56]
Ksamil - the Albanian paradise between islands, sun, and southern ...
Ksamil has some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean. Every shade of blue seems to have arrived here, from soft pastels to bold deep blues. The beaches ...Missing: sources facts
[57]
A Guide to Ksamil Through the Numbers - Patoko
Jan 1, 2025 · Population and Demographics of Ksamil. Permanent Residents (2023): About 2,994 people reside in Ksamil year-round (INSTAT, 2023). Seasonal ...
[58]
How to Visit Albania's Butrint Ruins (and What to See There)
Mar 20, 2025 · Butrint is about 17km south of Sarande and 5km south of Ksamil, at the bottom of Albania towards the border with Greece.
[59]
A Guide to Visiting Butrint National Park, Albania
Jun 18, 2025 · How to Get to Butrint. Butrint is located around 5km south of Ksamil and 18km from Sarandë, along the SH81 coastal road - find it here on Google ...From Ksamil · From Sarandë · Tours To Butrint
[60]
THE 15 BEST Ksamil Historical & Heritage Tours (with Prices)
The tour of Lekuresi Castle, Ksamil, Butrint, and the Blue Eye is unique for its rich combination of historical significance, scenic coastal ...
[61]
Historical Sites & Monuments in Ksamil - Peek
Looking for Historical Sites & Monuments in Ksamil? Create amazing memories with these unique experiences.
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Albania could be on the fast track to an overtourism nightmare - Yahoo
Mar 29, 2025 · It's certainly created jobs: In 2023, travel and tourism contributed 25 per cent of Albania's GDP, and the number of jobs in the sector has ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[63]
The Hidden Climate Costs of Albania's Luxury Tourism Boom
Jul 1, 2025 · Albania is not building a sustainable model of tourism. It is losing natural capital that took centuries to form.
[64]
Albania's Tourism Surge: The Hidden Costs of Growth, Water ...
Jul 18, 2025 · The once-quiet coastal resorts of Saranda and Ksamil, however, have started to show signs of over-tourism. These once-hidden gems have seen ...
[65]
Albania Could Be on the Fast Track to an Overtourism Nightmare
Mar 30, 2025 · Ksamil itself was a small fishing village before it became a holiday hotspot. It's hard not to think of history repeating itself. For my part, I ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline<|separator|>
[66]
[PDF] Albanian Islands Plastic Reduction Strategy and Action Plan
As a sequence of increased human presence the solid waste pollution and particularly plastics one is becoming a serious issue. ... The village of Ksamil, after ...
[67]
An overview of small island management and biodiversity protection ...
Even small, nowadays the Albanian islands are facing various conservation and management challenges due to local environmental problems that are associated with ...
[68]
Environmental Biology and development challenges in Albania
Sep 10, 2023 · ... Ksamil, damage to forests and bad land use ... Organizations and citizens respond to the biodiversity crisis through conservation ...
[69]
[PDF] MAPPING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ALONG THE ALBANIAN ...
The study cases on coastal resulted in. 43 landfills, 13 of which are sought to be closed and 27 of them need to be removed to the nearest sanitary landfill.
[70]
Distribution and Composition of Beach Litter along the Ionian ... - MDPI
Aug 23, 2024 · ... Ksamil Coast, where King Beach and Mirror Beach are located, Figure ... Waste on the roadside, 'poi-sute' waste: Its distribution and elution ...<|separator|>
[71]
Coastal erosion - ClimateChangePost
Some parts of the coast erode at rates of 0.3-20 m/year, even up to 30 m/year at one spot. After 1990, some hard defence structures (seawalls and revetments) ...
[72]
[DOC] Southern Coastal Development Plan - Strategic Environmental ...
Coastal seawater quality should be protected through strict limitations on development in ecologically sensitive areas (in tandem with areas of high ...
[73]
Albania's beaches under threat from erosion - Insider - Insajderi
Environmentalists say the cause of the erosion is a dangerous combination of climate change and unregulated urban development. Albanian villagers are also ...
[74]
Beautiful seaside village dubbed Europe's Maldives ruined with ...
Apr 26, 2025 · ... Ksamil's rapid growth has outpaced local infrastructure. Visitors frequently complain about lack of proper waste disposal, especially during ...
[75]
Albania's Tourism Crisis: Water Shortages, Pollution, and Staff ...
Jul 10, 2025 · The most immediate of these issues are water shortages, poorly managed wastes, and insufficient manpower, all of them damaging the sector.
[76]
Albanian Beaches Face Water Quality Concerns as Tourism Soars
Jul 14, 2025 · Beaches like Jalë, Dhërmi, and Borsh continue to register as “excellent” in official assessments. The popular destination of Ksamil in the south ...Missing: length | Show results with:length
[77]
[PDF] Standard Summary Project Fiche – IPA centralised programmes
The project aims at the construction and/or rehabilitation of the sewerage networks (primary and secondary) in Golemi, Lezha, Shengjin, Vlore, Ksamil, and Kamza ...
[78]
Rama: Next year, Ksamil beach will be managed by the municipality ...
Sep 5, 2025 · Ksamil beach is not Durrës beach, they will not take it anymore next year. The municipality will take it all. Dhërmi beach will not be taken ...
[79]
Albanian tourism boom: From 4 to 12 Million Tourists in a Decade
Aug 27, 2025 · The average annual growth rate (CAGR) of foreign tourists in Albania between 2015 and 2024 stands at 12.2% per year.
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Isolation to innovation: Inside Albania's remarkable rise | Wallpaper*
Apr 24, 2025 · In 2024, 11.7 million tourists visited Albania – up 15.2 per cent on the previous year, according to the Albanian Times. In 2023, the country ...
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Ksamil, Southern Albania Airbnb Data 2025: STR Market Analysis ...
Oct 1, 2025 · How much do Airbnb hosts make in Ksamil, Southern Albania? Get 2025 STR data: $5204 avg revenue, 36% occupancy, $83 ADR.
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Albania tourism boom is slowing down - Travel Mole
Oct 9, 2025 · From January to August of this year, Albania welcomed 8.34 million foreign visitors according to the latest figures from the national statistics ...Missing: Ksamil | Show results with:Ksamil
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Albania has experienced a sharp decline in tourism in 2025, with 30 ...
Sep 10, 2025 · Albania has experienced a sharp decline in tourism in 2025, with 30% less tourists visiting the country this summer compared to summer 2024. ...
[84]
Albania could be on the fast track to an overtourism nightmare
Mar 29, 2025 · Albania, not long ago considered the last frontier of Mediterranean breaks, has been betting big on the holiday pound. Hotels are opening at a rate of knots.
[85]
Tourism boom: How Albania is finding its niche – DW – 06/20/2025
Jun 20, 2025 · In 2024, more than 11.7 million foreign tourists visited the small Balkan country, and officials expect that number to rise to 15 million by the ...Missing: Ksamil 2019-2025
[86]
Ksamil and Dhërmi beaches to pass from private to municipal ...
Sep 7, 2025 · ... tourism regions to better manage growth. From summer 2026, Ksamil and Dhërmi will be administered by their municipalities under new rules ...
[87]
"Tourism, quality will be the priority" - Rama: Ksamil and Dhërmiu ...
Sep 4, 2025 · The tourism sector will be at new milestones for Albania Tourism 2030. Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the priority will not be the ...
[88]
Rama: Ksamil should be taken out of private hands, high prices are ...
Sep 4, 2025 · "We need to heal the violated beaches. Take them out of the hands of private individuals, there is no way Ksamil can be a private beach,he ...
[89]
Free beach access now guaranteed in Albania's 2025 summer season
Jun 30, 2025 · Now, all Albanian beaches must offer free, accessible areas equipped with minimum infrastructure: restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and changing ...
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New beach regulations, how will they affect Ksamil? - Tripadvisor
May 1, 2025 · There is a new law in Albania that for every 1 km of coastline, 300 meters has to be public beaches and also that a space of 10 meters between the water and ...
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Public Beach Access Challenges Mount Along Albania's Coastline
Jul 15, 2025 · Legal disputes and water pollution are threatening Albania's public beaches, raising concerns as tourism surges and infrastructure struggles ...
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Albanian Government Approves National Tourism Strategy 2030
Albanian Government Approves National Tourism Strategy 2030 · Promoting investment · Improving fiscal and regulatory policies · Managing tourist destinations ...
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Government Approves Integrated Waste Management Bill to Protect ...
On Wednesday, the government approved the draft law “On Integrated Waste Management” to strengthen environmental protection and safeguard public health.