Thethi, eternal love of tourists and hikers

Thethi, eternal love of tourists and of hikers.

Italian journalist and writer, Indro Mantovanelli in the book “Albania one and a thousand write, “O migrant who goes to FC, Do not stop there but continue on up and only then will you understand what Shkodra is”.

It takes weeks to climb the most beautiful peaks of Theth, because they are so excellent and so many. The peaks of the mountains are always covered in snow and sunshine, which is always welcoming and decorates Theth’s stunning valley. It is one of the most favored areas by foreign tourists in Albania, but also by Albanians themselves. The Alps of Theth, Albania are increasingly visited by foreign tourists. In addition to our beautiful coastline, there are mountainous landscapes such as Thethi, Razma, Valbona, Rragami, Lura, etc., They always lure and attract more visitors from many different countries. Thus, Theth, with its stunning natural beauty and healthy climate and curative properties, is not only visited by local tourists, but also by many foreigners. Many of the latter in transit from Theth Rragam, Valbona, or come from Valbona and the other territories, but always spend time in Thethi.

Thethi – Balkans Peace Park Project (BPPP)

The BPPP aims to facilitate the creation of a trans-national, cross border park in the adjourning mountains of Kosova, Montenegro, and northern Albanian as a symbol of peace and cooperation. Its aims are to promote environmental conservation, stimulate local employment, and promote sustainable visitor activities in the region.

Antonia Young, a British citizen and President of The BPPP and Walter Todd, an American citizen, are two people to thank for this project. These two foreign nationals have taken an interest in the nature and values of the village, the culture, and the cultural and architectural values of the houses in Theth more than any ministers of Culture and Tourism of Albania since 1990. They have arranged for the children of Theth to learn English through summer school that is organized every year in Theth. Through these projects, the residents are represented in domestic and global tourism. Antonia Young has visited Thethi, spending the whole of the month of July here in 2005. There she visited every family to explain the tourist opportunities to them. There are many organized tourist guides and university students studying nature. Todd has been to Theth as representative of the Peace Park Project. In the first year, Theth Summer School has run some significant projects. He has led and invested in, with the support of foreign donors, the construction of the bridge over the Grunasit canyon, and the wooden roof of Kolajve mill. Todd has led the project during the year in Theth and has visited all the families of the village. A big help has been given to the workers and residents of Theti. Residents have done their utmost to keep to the conditions that have been. Edith Durham, said: Life in Theth was beautiful. I forgot everything for the rest of the world *.

German technical assistance program (GTZ) in Theth.

Since 1988 there has been development cooperation between Germany and Albania moving toward EU integration. The focus of the work is on sustainable economic development and water supply. The GTZ water project advises on improving conditions for a safe drinking water supply and sustainable wastewater disposal.

In Theth the GTZ has provided funds for the first homes to be capable of receiving family tourists. Nature and water in that area are well known for their curative properties with regards to health since 1915 with analysis performed by the Austrians. GTZ has supported tourism giving some families a lot of money since 2000. This, in turn, has created the opportunity for families to have better facilities to host foreigners in their homes. GTZ’s support is made in light of its projects to strengthen the private sector in Albania.

GTZ has been supporting private sector tourism throughout Albania to organize a national association. The Albanian Association of Tourism has been operating since 2008, in Albania and includes three main sectors, hotels, travel agencies, and restaurants, which are the basis of the tourism business.

Albanian Alps that captivate the foreigners.

High mountains surround Theth and rugged alps, sheep paths, the tip of Radohimës, Sheniku, Papluku, Maya and Alice, the peaks of Jezercës, the tip of Arapi, Maja Black, Maja Zorgjit, hidden in their interior numerous dealings with climbers, botanists, geologist and those more sympathetic to the Alps, on these this area leaves an indelible impression. All these are described for years by the top Albanians and foreign climbers. Lots of things have been written about Thethi, Georg Heinshemer, a great alpinist wrote, comparing with it with the Tyrol. “If you go to Thethi you could write a book about its beauty. The water, air and nature these are the stories”.

Famous caves and beautiful waterfalls.

There is a miracle that is called the Grunas waterfalls of which are about 25-30 meters high. They are so beautiful, the mouth of the canyon of Grunas is about 2 km long and 60 meters deep and 4 meters wide. There are many famous caves like the “Bira e rrathve” (round holes) and the “Arapi” with lakes and an underground gallery of giant stone. Thethi has 12 small mills and a plant which furnishes Theth with electricity. In Theth there are about 80 permanent water sources. In August Theth was visited by more than 8,000 foreign tourists, and they all visited the canyons, waterfalls, museums, and caves that Theth has.

There are over 130 species of medicinal plants and about 50 plants that can be used for food coloring. The most common tree in the area is the beech, which covers almost 90% of the surface of the park.

Theth has problems and requirements.

There is some evidence of essential problems that hamper the development of tourism and family hotel in Theth. Investment in the infrastructure is needed in particular the following areas;

The Roads

A remote road services Theth since 1936. The street was designed by Ing. Spiro Koleka and is supported by the government and the citizens of Shkodra from time to time. Since that year this remote area had kept the same track and without any intervention to improve it. It has taken several years for the road to be paved with asphalt in the village Dedaj. It has taken five years for it in the town of Boge. It is unknown how many years it will take in Theth. Every year residents of the area and tourists who want to visit Theth expect the road to be paved with asphalt.

Energy/Electricity.

Thethi has had electricity since 1966, through the plant that is supplied by the river that crosses the central village. Since 1990 Albania has had worsening problems with electricity supplies. One of the obstacles and major problems with electricity in Theth is the national energy system. In Theth there has not been any investment in the power grid. It is not equipped with meters like any other country in Albania. The energy in Theth does not exceed 150 KW, the fact that hampers investment in the tourist area that is so necessary for the families. Contacts with leaders of KESH have made it clear that this power plant is privatized and we can not make any investment.

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* Concern Balkans. Edith Durham.

Wednesday date 10 February 2010