From Natural Assets to Sustainable Products: A Comparative Tourism-Readiness Assessment of Shkodër Municipality, Albania

Abstract

Background: Shkodër Municipality contains closely connected lacustrine, coastal-wetland, riverine, and mountain-karst-rural landscapes, but their natural significance does not necessarily correspond to operational tourism readiness. Aims: The study aims to classify the principal natural-tourism landscapes of Shkodër Municipality, compare their tourism readiness, identify environmental and governance constraints, and demonstrate the value of separating natural potential from operational readiness. Study Design: A qualitative geographical case study using documentary analysis, landscape classification, and comparative multi-criteria assessment. Place and Duration of Study: Shkodër Municipality, north-western Albania; February–June 2026. Methodology: Peer-reviewed studies, municipal planning and environmental documents, protected-area records, biodiversity plans, tourism programmes, and cartographic materials were triangulated. Four landscape systems—lacustrine, coastal-wetland, riverine, and mountain-karst-rural—were assessed using nine criteria. Ratings followed explicit low–moderate–high descriptors, were checked against a source-audit matrix, and were not numerically aggregated. Results: Municipality-scale evidence identified four principal geodiversity hotspots: Theth, Drin–Vau i Dejës, Lake Shkodër–Shirokë–Zogaj, and the Buna protected landscape. All four systems possess high natural significance, but operational readiness is uneven. Lake Shkodër–Shirokë–Zogaj has the strongest combination of access, services, and local-enterprise linkages. Velipojë has substantial accommodation capacity but remains highly seasonal and environmentally sensitive. Recorded visits to the Albanian Alps National Park increased from 237,094 in 2022 to 556,840 in 2025, while registered overnight stays in Theth rose from 10,007 to 54,649, alongside concentrated pressure on trails, waste systems, and sensitive habitats. River corridors and lesser-known karst and rural sites remain weakly interpreted, serviced, and organised. Conclusion: Shkodër’s main challenge is the uneven conversion of natural assets into environmentally responsible and operationally viable tourism products. Established destinations require stronger visitor-flow and environmental management, while emerging sites require cautious access, interpretation, safety organisation, trained guides, and community-based services. The framework provides a transparent first-stage screening approach for comparable municipalities, but site-level investment and promotion require field validation.