The Local Community Perception of Rural Tourism Impact (Case Of Valbona)

Bardhyl Ceku^1*, Semiha Loca², Forcim Kola³

¹Agriculture University of Tirana
²Marin Barleti University
³Metropolitan Tirana University

Abstract
It is generally accepted that there is a positive impact of tourism referring to the increase in jobs, a higher quality of life, and an increase in the wealth of an area. Tourism also has the advantage of rebuilding and restoring historic sites and encouraging the revitalization of cultures in impacted areas. The purpose of this research study is to explore if there can be found any impact of tourism and if so, what are they and in what ways can they affect a small rural area as a tourism destination and the specific effect on the residents, taking Valbona destination as an example. Primary data gathered from a survey will be used to show a descriptive panorama of how tourism is perceived in that area. The positive effects of tourism seem to outweigh the negative ones and it is evident that tourism has a positive impact on destinations in rural areas and not only on coastal areas of Albania.

Keywords: Tourism, rural tourism, economic impact, social and environmental effects.
JEL Codes: Z32, M1, M31