“Greetings from Albania”: Young Artists Compete for Creative Tourism Campaign
On World Tourism Day 2004, the USAID-funded Enterprise Development and Export Market Services project (EDEM) Tourism Cluster launched its “Greetings from Albania” national travel postcard competition among the country’s youth to promote Albanian tourism. The EDEM project promotes competitiveness of Albania’s private sector by assisting its efforts to enter and expand into export markets. One of Albania’s greatest export potentials is the largely untapped tourist opportunities. A key element in promoting Albanian tourism includes developing a positive image of the country through targeted marketing and promotion efforts.
“The idea was for young people to design a postcard that presents the best of their home community to the world,” explained EDEM tourism consultant Scott Wayne.
Hundreds of young people from 10 communities across the country submitted over 350 postcards for consideration. Entries were reviewed by a jury of Tourism Cluster members whom awarded digital cameras to three first prize winners and 35mm cameras to four consolation prize winners.
Two of the artists receiving top honors – Bora Skenderi (age 10) and Denis Doda (age 17) – hail from Tirana, as do runners-up Jeta Deda (age 14) and the team of Keijda Seferi and Linda Bali (both, age 17). First prize winner, Arjan Kadillari (age 17) hails from Berat. Olgena Hoxha (age 14) representing Shkodra was awarded a consolation prize for her photo, as was the youngest finalist, Marjeta Teno (age 9), from Saranda.
The winning entries, posted in a photo album format online, are available for viewing at http://www.shqiperia.com/edemal/gallery. The artwork, to be produced in conventional postcard form, will be used to promote Albanian tourism at international trade fairs and similar events.
“Greetings from Albania” was developed through close collaboration with U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, Trendy magazine, the UNICEF-sponsored TV program ‘Shqiptar’, and the Internet news site Shqiperia.com.
In response to the enthusiasm and momentum generated by the initial effort, partners have recently announced that a second campaign is slated for Fall 2005.
David Thompson, USAID/Albania program officer, applauded the efforts of the children, “In Albania, tourism is one of the areas with the most potential for growth. Economic growth contributes to the creation of jobs, community development, and civic pride. The images captured by the youth will undoubtedly fuel a positive image of Albania and entice people to travel here to see it for themselves.”
One of the winners, Ms. Jeta Deda, a 14-year old from the capital city of Tirana, said “[M]any from our generation want to show Albania to the world. Our country is full of tradition, history and beauty.”
| Postcards offer tourists a glimpse of Albania’s treasures through the eyes
of its youth |
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