Blog/four students internships at ETG Posted on 16 Jan 2020 Four student internships at Elite Travel Group Three Germans, one Chilean, one travel company, four internships – as Pia would say ? During July and August 2019 we welcomed four student interns at our ETG headquarters in Elbasan, Albania. They all came from Eberswalde University in Berlin, which is entirely focused on sustainable tourism. Being part of the Sustainable Tourism Management master’s program, they decided to join our team to complete their internship semester of 17 weeks and they also got to explore a little bit more about Albania. But what exactly were their tasks? Pia-Marie Opitz, from Bremen, Germany. Her aim was to support product development, focusing on attractions, activities, and festivals in all regions in Albania. Her task was to help to identify interesting elements, which also empower and support the local communities for further product development. Nina Saggese, from Mainz, Germany. Her task at Elite Travel was to identify traditional products from Albania through all of the 12 regions. As a foodie and a wine lover, of course, her topics were food, wine & costumes. Simon Reuter, from Nuremberg, Germany. Being an outdoor sports lover, his task was to identify tourism products in different regions for further development in the future, with special regard to outdoor and adventure tourism. Gonzalo Torres Flores, from Valparaíso, Chile. His goal in the company was to support Elite Academy, motivate young people, help to organize the training of the staff and improve the employment situation in Elbasan. They all traveled across Albania and got familiar with our country, our traditions and our people. These travels mostly benefited Pia, Nina, and Simon so that they could gather materials for their internship tasks. Meanwhile, Gonzalo was more focused on the activities of Elite Academy, such as Spoonbill Nest 2019. Having these students as part of our team for four months was also a great opportunity for us. They brought their own perspective, each in their unique way and that is why Elite Travel Group is always open to offer internships. These internships were not the first ones that we have offered as a company and we look forward to having many more in the future with students from all around the world.   […]

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Blog/it takes a visionary spirit to move a country Posted on 29 Jan 2020 It takes a visionary spirit to move a country (Edelweiss Magazine) English Planning a life in Albania usually means emigrating. There are barely any jobs, and the wages are low. Some deliberately stay home and work to improve their country’s future. BROWN BEARS AND BALKAN VIOLETS   Fifty kilometers farther east, just off the Macedonian border, Elvis Kotherja is stomping down soggy meadows because the paths are full of knee-deep puddles. The travel organizer wants to show off the nature of his country. The Shebenik-Jablanica national park is one of the youngest and largest ones of its kind in the country. It’s located at the former Iron Curtain and historically was a barred military area. The old beech forests are now protected. Some of them are watched over by UNESCO. There are glacial lakes, the Balkan lynx, wolves and brown bears, as well as endemic plants such as the Balkan violet and the Albanian lily. Other countries would set out and develop a tourism strategy immediately, charge admission fees and offer services; this hasn’t happened here yet, despite 18,000 tourists visiting the park a year now. Most only stay for a single day, and even the town from which the hikers set out only has a few bunk beds and a shared bathroom at the visitors’ center if someone wants to stay the night. «They should build small, simple bungalows with their own bathrooms, surrounded by nature. Visitors would love that. » Elvis Kotherja The 38-year-old has many ideas. He can see what would promise success and where the issues are. He hopes that the locals have the courage to open a guest house, a bicycle rental station, and a snack stand for the national park. He hopes the emigrated generation will return to build a future here. ACADEMY FOR GUIDES AND WAITERS   «Education must come first,» Elvis Kotherja says. He was born during the time of dictatorship. His parents named him after the US rock star they loved. «Why doesn’t Albania introduce the dual education system that Switzerland has? Young people prefer hands-on training. They want to see and act, rather than just learn the theory behind it all.» Yet that is just what training looks like in large parts of the country. The curricula are outdated, too. «Plumbers are still taught to work with copper pipes when we have long ago switched to plastic ones.» It wasn’t exactly surprising that young people lacked enthusiasm under such circumstances. His company, Elite Travel Albania, employs about fifty people. He never tires of training them and others. Elvis Kotherja received a sustainability award and founded an academy where he offers workshops for guides, receptionists, waiters, and programmers. He sets an example and hopes that others will copy him – be they companies or the state. His company’s logo shows a spoonbill bird, representing nature and sustainability. «This migratory bird is also a synonym for Albanians who leave the country,» says Elvis Kotherja. That is what he thinks needs to be prevented. The people must once more believe in their own country and invest in their own future here. The citizens of Berat do the same. The cobblestone alleys are lined with small cafés, restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops. After the collapse of Communism, the city was quickly looking for different options. Its citizens put their hopes in tourism and set up a website, put up signposts and installed notice signs. The children now rush out of their schools; they are proud of their pretty clothes, and new satchels. They confidently try out their first words in English. They are visionaries already, even though they do not yet know it. They are the country’s future. German Lebensplanung in Albanien bedeutet meist auszuwandern, denn es gibt kaum Jobs und die Löhne sind niedrig. Doch manche bleiben ganz bewusst in ihrer Heimat und arbeiten an der Zukunft des Landes. BRAUNBÄREN UND BALKANVEILCHEN   Fünfzig Kilometer weiter im Osten, kurz vor der mazedonischen Grenze, stapft Elvis Kotherja über aufgeweichte Wiesen, weil die Wege voll knietiefer Pfützen sind. Der Reiseunternehmer will zeigen, was sein Land an Natur zu bieten hat. Der Nationalpark Shebenik-Jablanica ist einer der jüngsten und grössten des Landes, liegt am ehemaligen Eisernen Vorhang und war lange Zeit militärisches Sperrgebiet. Die alten Buchenwälder stehen inzwischen unter Schutz, über einen Teil wacht sogar die UNESCO. Es gibt Gletscherseen, den Balkanluchs, Wölfe und Braunbären, ausserdem endemische Pfl anzen wie das Balkanveilchen und die Albanische Lilie. Andere Länder würden direkt ein Tourismuskonzept entwickeln, Eintritt verlangen, Services anbieten. 18 000 Touristen kommen inzwischen in den Park, meist nur für Tagesausflüge. Selbst in dem Ort, an dem die Wanderungen starten, gibt es zum Übernachten nur ein paar Stockbetten mit Gemeinschaftsbad im Besucherzentrum. «Hier müsste man kleine Bungalows in die Natur bauen, einfach, aber mit eigenem Bad. Das würde Besuchern gefallen.» Elvis Kotherja Der 38-Jährige hat viele Ideen. Er sieht, was Erfolg verspricht und wo es hakt. Für den Nationalpark hofft er, dass die Einheimischen den Mut haben, ein Guesthouse, einen Fahrradverleih und einen Imbissstand zu eröffnen. Und dass die ausgewanderte Generation zurückkommt und sich hier eine Zukunft auf baut. AKADEMIE FÜR GUIDES UND KELLNER   «An erster Stelle muss Bildung stehen», findet Elvis Kotherja, der noch während der Diktatur zur Welt kam und den seine Eltern so nannten, weil sie den amerikanischen Rockstar mochten. «Warum führen wir in Albanien nicht das duale Bildungssystem ein wie in der Schweiz? Die Jungen wollen anfassen, sehen, machen, nicht nur Theorie.» Denn so sieht die Ausbildung in weiten Teilen bei veralteten Lehrplänen noch aus. «Ein Klempner lernt, wie man mit Kupferrohren arbeitet, obwohl längst Plastikrohre benutzt werden.» Dass da das Engagement des Nachwuchses leide, sei keine Frage. Rund fünfzig Menschen arbeiten für seine Firma, die Elite Travel Albania. Er wird nicht müde, sie und andere zu schulen. Elvis Kotherja hat einen Nachhaltigkeitspreis bekommen und eine Akademie gegründet, in der er Workshops für Guides, Rezeptionisten, Kellner und Programmierer anbietet. Er geht voran und hofft, […]

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Blog /rebuilding the tourism industry Posted on 24 Feb 2021 Rebuilding the tourism industry of western Balkans on new market realities and adapting the tourism products to the “New Normal” This webinar series will be presented on March 3-rd, 17-th, and 24-th, and will reveal important information about adapting to market trends, the new priorities for health and safety protocols, and provide a toolkit for B2B marketing in the current global crisis, all tailored to the needs of Western Balkan economies. More details about the individual webinars can be found attached. Marlon van Hee will be leading the presentations and will share some practical tools and guidance for accessing the European markets, understanding and marketing USPs, implementing WTTC-protocols for COVID-19 for all sectors in the supply chain, and finding digital alternatives to traditional marketing strategies. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is an all-inclusive, regionally owned, and led cooperation framework. RCC’s Triple P Tourism Project, a three-year initiative funded by the EU, focuses on the 6 IPA II beneficiaries in the Western Balkans. The project aims to improve the quality of the tourism offer by: creating joint offer/product(s) to foster regional integration in the tourism sector and its joint global promotion; diversifying tourism offer of the region; alleviating policy barriers to development of tourism industry and easing of administrative procedures; improving the level of services related to tourism; and supporting small-scale infrastructure projects to support the development of regional tourism offer/product. Contact info: Organization: Elite Travel Group Address: “Rr. Kozma Naska”, Nr. 33/6, Elbasan 3001, Albania e-mail: terena.cardwell@etg.al Contact info: Organization: RCC TripleP Project Address: Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V 71000 Sarajevo e-mail: tourism@rcc.int “Rebuilding the Tourism Industry of Western Balkans on New Market Realities and Adapting the Tourism Products to the “New Normal”. March 3, 10 am – 1 pm CET:  “Adapting Tourism Products for New Priority Markets: Improving access in the new EU market landscape, USPs, and preparing for trade fairs” This webinar will teach how to successfully export to leading EU source markets through detailed information about trends and developments, (niche) market segments, and developing the right products. Attendees will gain a profound understanding of what B2B partners expect from them. This webinar will also focus on the importance of Unique Selling Points and how to optimize the corporate presentation on/offline including learning how to do an elevator pitch, the difference between B2C and B2B communication. During the webinar, special attention will also be given to the post-Covid era, health and safety, and sustainability practices. Finally, the webinar will help trainees to get better prepared for trade fair participation, including the upcoming ITB Berlin. March 17, 10 am – 1 pm CET:  “Health and Safety Protocols in the Tourism Value Chain – International best practices and the road towards a Regional Approach” This webinar includes an overview of international best practices for tour operating businesses, with a focus on how to be adaptive & resilient to the current state of affairs, and the specific needs of various tourism sectors. The importance of alignment of national tourism health and safety criteria with the WTTC-protocols, and of having an audit (management) system in place to monitor and evaluate proper implementation, will be covered. The webinar will also serve as a platform to further discuss the current national tourism health and safety systems in place in the different WB6 economies, to look for synergies and the possibilities to work towards a regional, common approach. Attendees will have access to a downloadable “COVID-19 Manual for Tour Operators”, and also have the opportunity to register for an optional individual Health and Safety Certification exam from Travelife, which is internationally recognized. Guest Speaker: Ms. Lan Chi, Travelife. March 24, 10 am – 1 pm CET:  “B2B Marketing – Optimizing your Tourism Promotional Activities – a Toolkit for strategic guidance with special attention to COVID-19 and Sustainability” Attendees will be familiarized with the newly developed “Tourism Destination Promotion Toolbox for Business Support Organizations (BSOs)”. This Toolbox – jointly created by CBI (cbi.eu), ITC (intracen.org), SIPPO (sippo.ch), and IPD (importpromotiondesk.de) – helps tourism businesses and tourism business support organizations (BSOs) to select and implement the optimal (destination) promotion activities and to strengthen destination competitiveness and sustainability, and introduces the following six main tourism promotion tools available: Trade Fairs (B2C and B2B) Road Shows Familiarisation Trips (B2B, press and media) OFFLINE campaigns ONLINE campaigns Press and Media The Toolbox was developed in 2020, and therefore takes into account Covid-19 and its consequences on the tourism sector, including adaptations of these tools for the current and postpandemic realities. During the webinar, the examples of familiarization trips and trade fairs in the current tourism context will be discussed in depth. Disclaimer: The contents of this document the sole responsibility of the Elite Travel Group and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Regional Cooperation Council and the European Union. […]

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Blog/ first ISRAIR flight to Albania for 2021 Posted on 11 May 2021 First ISRAIR flight to Albania for 2021 Albania has long awaited the restart of travel and tourism post-pandemic. Finally, Albanian tourism is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Recently we became a green list country and are considered a no-risk destination. For some time now there have been discussions on the arrival of foreign tourists. However, until now we did not have an exact date. This week there was some good news that the first flight from Israir Airlines will arrive at Tirana International Airport on May 13th. Israir is a well-known Israeli airline that has established direct flights to Albania since 2018. Just like the rest of the world, these flights were halted due to the pandemic. However, Israel has outpaced the rest of the world with vaccinations. Around 55 percent of the population have received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and more than 41 percent have received two doses. Citizens have also been equipped with green passes to facilitate traveling. That is why tourists from Israel were some of the first that we were expecting. Tourists arriving with this Israir flight to Albania will be exclusively accommodated in 4-stars and 5-stars hotels in Tirana and Golem region in Durrës. It looks like this first Israir flight to Albania is the start of Albanian tourism recovery. Stay tuned for more updates! BACK TO CORPORATE NEWS […]

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News/travel hygiene trends post-covid Posted on 17 May 2021 What will be the travel hygiene trends post-covid? With the start of the vaccination process and immunization of the population, the travel industry is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. However, travel and tourism will probably be different from now on. The post-COVID travel era will have increased attention toward cleanliness and hygiene. Despite being vaccinated, most travelers will watch out for health and safety policies. So, what will the picture of the future of travel hygiene trends be?     Airline industry As airlines start to operate again, it will be essential to them to protect the crew and passengers and also relieve the travel anxiety. That is why they will focus on implementing processes to detect infection, physical distancing, and minimize surface contact. With the right tools for airlines, passengers might experience safer upcoming flights. From elevated cleaning standards and collaborations with hygiene products producers to robots, hotels all over the world are working to win the customer’s trust. There are also some certifications that these hotels can achieve to prove their safeness. An example is the Safe Travels stamp created by WTTC for those businesses that have adopted their protocols. So, health and safety policies have become one of the most important factors when travelers choose their accommodation.     Tour operators Tour operators have updated their cleaning and hygiene protocols as well. They must implement necessary sanitation and hygiene measures based on the nature of their activities and attractions. Some examples are contactless payments, provision of gloves and sanitary products for guests and staff, and clear communication as well. So, to conclude, tourism stakeholders will have to work closely with health and safety officials to rebuild traveler confidence. Destinations that will invest in these measures and meet the new travel hygiene trends, will be able to succeed in the post-COVID-19 travel era. BACK TO CORPORATE NEWS […]

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Blog/traveling in Albania during Covid-19 Posted on 12 Jun 2020 Traveling in Albania during COVID-19 Your wellbeing is primary for us. Therefore, we are giving you the latest updates about traveling in Albania during COVID-19. During this unprecedented situation created by COVID-19, we have been in touch with all the public institutions and local partners, to assure maximal security on all of your travels with us. Since March 10th, until now, two authorities were assigned to implement all the safety measures in Albania. These institutions are: 1. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection: https://new.shendetesia.gov.al/ 2. The Institute of Public Health: http://www.ishp.gov.al/ Sectorial: 1. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment: http://www.mjedisi.gov.al/ 2. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy: https://www.infrastruktura.gov.al/ We have strictly followed and we have implemented all the guidelines and protocols published by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection & The Institute of Public Health, against the spread of the virus. Below we have listed all the measures published in the “Anti COVID-19 Measures Protocol”, approved by the Joint Order No. 353 dated 29/05/2020 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection & the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Protocols approved by the institute of Public Health This is a temporary guide during this dynamic phase of COVID-19 and therefore will be refreshed again according to the level of risk. 1-Logistic (Coach) -70 % of the capacity of the coach is allowed -All passengers must be equipped with masks and a hand sanitizer -Maintain distance (where is possible) 2-COVID-19 SANITARY HYGIENE MASS PROTOCOL IN BARS OR RESTAURANTS IN OPEN ENVIRONMENT Hand hygiene is important in these moments: Before, during, and after food consumption. After using the toilet. After you have cleaned your nose, after coughing or sneezing. After wearing, touching, or removing the mask or face protector. After touching money or items that have been treated by employers, such as disposable food bags. Before wearing and removing disposable gloves. Do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth. Coughing and sneezing are performed using the throat or nasal paper. Cards immediately are thrown into the basket. The client disinfects hands at the entrance and exit of the bar or restaurant with 60% alcohol-based sanitizers made available by the entity. The bar or restaurant subject must guarantee and respect at all times the distance of 1.5 meters between the employed staff and the customers. It is recommended to avoid “cash” money and provide card services credit. If the payment is made at the cashier the subject of the bar or restaurant must place Plexiglas between the employee and the client. In no case is physical contact allowed between other clients from different groups, or between third including greetings. The bar subject – cafe or restaurant should place on the surface of the environment open the tables, so that the distance from the back of one chair in the back of another chair to be at least 1m away, as a result, customers see each other from a distance at least 2m. Third parties such as suppliers and distributors are only allowed to be equipped with protective masks, gloves, and hand disinfection. The subject must disinfect the environment and clean before opening and after closing at least 2 times a day. Dirty surfaces are first washed with soap and water and then disinfected with other products. Products used by the manufacturer/seller should be following the relevant instructions of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The entity must display the information poster on COVID-19 risk reduction According to the approved format. The subject bar – cafe or restaurant must post the statement for the implementation of a protocol for the subjects, according to the approved format which includes the obligation for self-assessment of symptoms by staff/administrator/any other third party person entering and leaving the premises under approved format, where administrative or criminal liability is mentioned for the person who does not take measures according to legal obligations and green number for denunciation. The bar – coffee or restaurant subject must display the full protocol according to the text approved. 3-Measures in resorts, hotels, accommodation units as well as tourist attractions (museums, places of interest, national parks, etc.) This protocol is valid only in case of the removal of restrictive measures by the Albanian Government and in case of allowing touristic activities, according to the confirmed areas and territories. 1.1 Treatment of symptomatic cases If a person present within the accommodation/tourism facility (visitor, staff, etc.) has a fever and symptoms of a respiratory infection (dry cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing) he should immediately notify the accompanying person. with National Emergency 127 and LGU of the local unit in terms of tourist enterprise. Communication should be possible only through the telephone. 1.2 Use of elevators The use of elevators must allow the distance approved by the MLSW (1.5 m). The distance can be reduced for people who are part of the same family, tourist group, or who share a room. 1.3 Manual for Food and Beverage administration -Raise your hands often and on request. -If automatic machines are used, the drinks should be served only in disposable cardboard cups. 1.4 Customers  When entering and leaving restaurants, or barns customers should disinfect their hands with a disinfectant gel, that should be placed at the entrance of these facilities. Customers must maintain a distance approved by the MLSW between them (1.5 meters). traveling in albania during COVID-19 1.5 General rules Until the end of the epidemic caused by Covid-19, all beach stations as well as public beaches must have posted the advice and rules for protection against Covid-19. These rules consist of. a) Wash and disinfect your hands regularly and properly. b) Use masks according to instructions. c) Avoid crowds and any contact outside the group. d) Do not touch the face and nose with unwashed and uninfected hands. e) When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth/nose with forearms or disposable wipes. f) If you notice Covid19 symptoms, call Nr. 127. 1.6 SPA / Sauna / Massage & […]

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Blog/regional study on impact of Covid-19 Posted on 12 Aug 2020 USAID regional study on the impact of covid-19 on SMEs The last few months have been challenging especially for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs). Given the considerable contribution of SMEs to the local economy, data-driven, sector-oriented and well-coordinated support to the small-businesses will be important to get to grip with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. ACT Global, as part of the USAID Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project (EDGE) implemented by International Development Group (LLC IDG) is conducting COVID-19 Impact Assessment on SMEs in the following value chains: 1. Fruits and Vegetables; 2. Tourism;  3. Light Manufacturing; 4. ICT   Therefore, we would like to kindly ask you for collaboration and contribute to the research project by completing a short online survey. Your participation is crucial to obtain reliable data and support USAID to design targeted assistance programs for SME recovery and resilience building. Please follow the link for the survey: https://www.questionpro.com/t/APBaeZh5pu BACK TO CORPORATE NEWS […]

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